®

3.0 OWNER’S MANUAL

90-20-0358 - E (For use with Helix Firmware 3.00) © 2020 Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Contents
Clearing a Block’s Controller Assignment(s) 55
Welcome to Helix 4 The Blocks 24 Clearing All Controller Assignments 55
What’s In the Box? 4 Input24 Customizing a Controller Footswitch Label 55
Common Terminology 4 Output25
HX Edit Application 5 L6 LINK - Powercab Plus and DT 25/50 Amp Options25 Command Center 56
Updating Helix Firmware 5 Effects 27 Assigning a Command 56
Marketplace6 Amp+Cab33 Copying and Pasting a Command 60
Top Panel 7 Amp35 Copying and Pasting All Commands 60
Back Panel 9 Preamp35 Clearing a Command 60
Home Screen 10 Cab35 Clearing All Commands 60
Impulse Response (IR) 37 Customizing a Command Footswitch Label & Color 60
Quick Start 11 Send/Return38
Setting Proper Output Levels 11 Looper39 Global EQ 61
Selecting Presets and Setlists 12 Split41 Resetting Global EQ 61
Preset Footswitch Mode 12 Merge41
Stomp Footswitch Mode 13 Block Level Indicators and Meters 42
Global Settings 62
Pedal Edit Mode 14 Resetting All Global Settings 62
Selecting Blocks/Adjusting Parameters 14 Tuner44 Global Settings > Ins/Outs 63
Bypassing a Block 15 Tuner Settings 44 Global Settings > Preferences 64
Choosing a Block’s Model 15 Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo 65
Choosing an Input 16 Snapshots45 Global Settings > Footswitches 66
Choosing an Output 16 Using Snapshots 46 Global Settings > EXP Pedals 66
Moving Blocks 16 Copying/Pasting a Snapshot 46 Global Settings > Displays 67
Copying and Pasting a Block 17 Swapping Snapshots 47
Clearing a Block 17 Customizing a Snapshot Footswitch Name and Color47 USB Audio 68
Clearing All Blocks 17 Saving Snapshots 48 Hardware Monitoring vs. DAW Software Monitoring 69
Adding a Block to Favorites 17 Determining Snapshot Edit Behavior 48 DI Recording and Re-amplification 69
Saving a Model’s User Default Settings 18 Arranging Preset, Snapshot, and Stomp Switches 48 ASIO Driver Settings (Windows) 71
Saving/Naming a Preset 18 Core Audio Driver Settings (macOS) 71
Bypass Assign 50
Creating/Restoring Full Device Backups 18
Quick Bypass Assign 50 MIDI72
Serial vs. Parallel Routing 19
Manual Bypass Assign 50 MIDI Bank/Program Changes 72
Removing Parallel Path B 19
Customizing a Footswitch Label 52 MIDI Clock Send and Receive 72
Moving Split & Merge Blocks for More Parallel Routings20
Swapping Footswitches 52 MIDI CC 72
True Preset Spillover 21
Dynamic DSP 22 Controller Assign 53
Block Order and Stereo Imaging 23
Quick Controller Assign 53
What is Variax? 23
Manual Controller Assign 54
 Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity
47 CFR § 2.1077 Compliance Information

Unique Identifier: Line 6 Helix

Responsible Party - U.S. Contact Information:

Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc.
26580 Agoura Road
Calabasas, CA 91302-1921
(818) 575-3600
https://line6.com/

FCC Compliance Statement:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

© 2020 Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Line 6, the Line 6 logo, Helix, HX Stomp, HX Effects, HX Stomp, L6 LINK, DT25, DT50, M13, M9, M5, DL4, DM4, MM4, FM4, POD, POD Farm, Powercab, Variax, Ampeg, SVT, and
Portaflex are trademarks or registered trademarks of Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other jurisdictions. James Tyler is a registered trademark of James Tyler, used under
license. Shuriken is a trademark or registered trademark of Shuriken Guitars Pty Ltd. in the U.S. and/or other jurisdictions and is used under license. Apple, Mac, macOS,
iPad, iPhone, Logic, GarageBand, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device
or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. YouTube is
a trademark of Google, Inc. Cubase and VST are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Pro Tools is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc.
YouTube is a trademark of Google, Inc.
Welcome to Helix Path A path represents the signal flow of your tone. Helix has two separate
paths, 1 and 2, each with its own input(s) and output(s). Paths can be
serial (single) or parallel (dual). Path 1 can be routed into path 2 for
more sophisticated tones.
Thank you for purchasing Helix®, one of the most powerful and flexible audio
processors ever created. We hope it helps drive your search for tonal bliss and spawns
Preset A preset is your tone. It consists of all blocks on the Home screen,
footswitch assignments, controller assignments, and Command
years of creativity, both on stage and in the studio. Center messages.

What Have I Gotten Myself Into? Setlist A setlist is a collection of presets. Helix has eight setlists containing
128 presets each.
Although Helix may appear complicated at first glance, it’s designed in such a way
that once you learn a few basic concepts and shortcuts, you’ll be able to construct Model Each processing block can accommodate one model (or in some
both simple and complex tones at nearly the speed of thought, with very little menu cases, two models). Helix includes over 80 guitar and bass amps, over
diving required. 40 cabs, and over 220 effects models.

Although you’re likely anxious to rip open the plastic and plug in, wait! At the very Controller Controllers are used to adjust various parameters in real-time. For
least, check out the Helix Cheat Sheet that came in the box, and keep it handy. Then example, the expression pedal can be used to control wah, or the tone
read the “Quick Start” chapter of this manual and we’ll have you up and shredding in knob on a Variax guitar can be used to control amp gain and reverb depth.
no time.
Send/ Sends and Returns are used to connect additional equipment to Helix
Return for effects loops or processing multiple instruments simultaneously.
TIP: Be sure also to visit line6.com/videos, where we’re always adding new Helix has four mono sends and returns, but adjacent pairs can be
video tutorials covering the latest Line 6 gear! selected for stereo operation.
IR IRs (Impulse Responses) are mathematical functions representing the
What’s In the Box? sonic measurements of audio systems (for Helix, speaker cabinet and
microphone combinations). Helix can store up to 128 custom or third-
party IRs at a time. See “Impulse Response (IR)”
• Line 6 Helix
• Helix Cheat Sheet (read that one first!) Variax® Variax isn’t just a great guitar; it also contains special electronics that
recreate the sound of other specific guitars and instruments, and allow
• AC power cable for instant retuning of each string. Helix and Variax communicate with
• USB cable one another in unique and powerful ways. See “What is Variax?”
• Hex wrench for adjusting the resistance expression pedal’s resistance L6 LINK™ L6 LINK provides easy, single-cable, digital audio connectivity and
• Warranty card remote control ability between Helix and Line 6 Powercab active guitar
®

speaker systems and DT-Series amplifiers. See “L6 LINK - Powercab

Plus and DT 25/50 Amp Options”

Common Terminology FRFR FRFR (Full Range, Flat Response) speakers have the ability to amplify
a modeler without adversely affecting its tone, ensuring great detail, a
While reading this manual, you may encounter several unfamiliar terms. It’s important wide sweet spot, predictability, and consistency from studio to stage.
to know what they mean. Don’t worry—there’s no math. You could almost think of FRFR monitors as very loud, gig-ready studio
monitors.
Home The Home screen is your primary workspace for creating and editing DAW DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) refers to any computer (or mobile
tones. If you ever get lost, press to return to the Home screen.
device) used for audio recording. The components of a DAW include
Block Blocks are objects that represent various elements of a preset, such as an audio interface, audio recording software (such as Cubase®, Logic,
amps, cabs, effects, splits, loopers, inputs, outputs, and impulse responses. Garageband, Pro Tools®, etc.), and monitoring system (amplifier &
speakers or headphones). Helix functions as a high-performance USB
2.0 audio interface with all major DAW software - See “USB Audio”

4
Why Does Helix Sound [insert descriptor here]? Updating Helix Firmware
Like most guitarists, you’re probably used to the sound and feel of real tube amps.
So are we. Musicians instinctually understand that a roaring 4x12 cab pointing at the If your Helix device is still running a previous firmware version, it is highly recommended
back of their knees sounds and feels totally different from a pair of plastic PA speakers to update to the latest available version, which can be accomplished easily using the
(or even high-quality studio monitors) pointing at their face. Yet some may blame their Line 6 HX Edit application.
multieffects box for this disparity. Like any other device without built-in speakers,
Helix is completely at the mercy of what you plug it into. Your playback system has IMPORTANT! All presets saved and exported from earlier, Helix 2.xx firmware
a massive impact on the sound and feel of your tone, and if Helix appears to sound versions are fully compatible with firmware version 3.0. Please note, however,
thin, tubby, boxy, harsh, dull, or some other less-than-ideal adjective, the first thing to that presets saved and exported using Helix with firmware 3.0 will not be
scrutinize is your playback system. compatible with earlier firmware versions. We highly recommend using HX
Edit to back up your custom presets before updating to Helix firmware 3.0.
There’s also nothing wrong with bypassing the Helix cab or IR blocks and running it
into a flat power amp and real wooden cab; digital magic will never convince anyone First, install the latest HX Edit software version on your Mac or PC (available at line6.
their 6″ computer speakers are a wall o’ stacks. Your tone is only as good as the com/software), connect Helix to your computer’s USB port, and HX Edit will check
weakest link in your chain, and understand that given identical playback systems, online and let you know if a newer firmware version is available. If so, HX Edit will
Helix amp modeling is designed to be virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. then walk you through performing a full device backup and firmware update, all within
minutes. Please see the HX Edit Pilot’s Guide for full details.

HX Edit Application Factory Presets

Helix includes hundreds of factory presets to get you started, and we often tweak,
Be sure to grab the free HX Edit application for Mac and PC—available for replace, or otherwise update them with most firmware updates.
download at line6.com/software.
IMPORTANT! Because we never want to overwrite your own custom presets,
HX Edit is a full-featured editor and preset & IR librarian, and allows you to firmware updates never automatically make new factory presets visible;
easily create & restore full Helix device backups, and update your device to the latest you need to load them manually. Restoring factory setlists and presets will
firmware (also see the next section). You can connect more than one Helix and/or HX completely overwrite your own, so make sure they’re backed up first, using
device, and HX Edit will display an individual application window for each. the backup function in HX Edit, as in the following steps.

Preset Sharing with Helix/HX Devices & Helix Native Plugin Restoring Factory Presets
All Helix and HX hardware and software live within the same ecosystem. Using multiple The following steps will overwrite and replace all presets within all your device’s
windows within HX Edit and/or multiple instances of the Helix Native plugin, both setlists with those included in the installed firmware version.
blocks and entire presets can be freely dragged and dropped or copied and pasted
between units, with some restrictions. Please see the HX Edit and Helix Native Pilot’s 1. Open HX Edit, and from the File menu, select “Create Backup”
Guides for specifics on preset compatibility. and follow the prompts to backup all your device’s current
presets and settings.
2. Turn off Helix. While holding footswitches 7 and 8 (the left two
footswitches on the bottom row), turn it back on.
3. Wait for “Will restore...” to appear and let go.
4. Optionally, if you have setlists that include custom presets you
wish to restore, use the Restore From Backup feature within
HX Edit to selectively restore the desired setlists (see the HX
Edit Pilot’s Guide).

5
Marketplace
Be sure to visit the Line 6 Marketplace online shop, where you’ll find 3rd-party add-on
assets that further enhance the functionality of Helix family devices and the Helix
Native plugin! As of this writing, 3rd-party presets and IRs are available—check back
often on Marketplace for product news and announcements.

You can access Marketplace directly using the free HX Edit app, where you sign in to
your Line 6 online account, then choose to Get More Presets or Get More IRs from
the HX Edit menu. Once you’ve purchased premium Marketplace assets, they can
be downloaded immediately, directly into your HX Edit Presets and/or IR Library, and
ready to use on Helix. Please see the latest HX Edit Pilot’s Guide for details.

TIP: Registered owners of Line 6 Helix family devices are entitled to a generous
discount toward the purchase of the Helix Native plugin! Note that all your
Helix presets and IRs can be loaded directly into Helix Native—and vice-versa—
making your stage and studio tasks easier than ever. Please visit the Line 6
Online Shop.

6
Top Panel

3 4 16B Dream Rig Duet 1 8 9

SAVE BYPASS ACTION VOLUME PHONES
EXP 1 EXP 2
PRESET
14
2 1 7 12 13
Delay Harmony Delay
1/8 [37%] D Minor 40% 0.0dB
B
PAGE PAGE

5 6
Time Feedback Key Scale Mix Level

10
11
BANK Scream 808 Mystery Filter Ubiquitous Vibe Harmony Delay MODE
HOLD TO EDIT

14 16

15
BANK 16A
None More Black
16B
Dream Rig Duet
16C
Jimi, Not Jimmy
16D
DAW Remote TAP
HOLD FOR TUNER

14

15

7
1. Main Display This large color LCD is your window into the power of Helix. 12. VOLUME Turn this knob to control the Helix device’s main output volume.
2. PRESET Turn this knob to select a preset. Press the knob to open the Setlist 13. PHONES Turn this knob to control volume from the PHONES output.
menu—see “Selecting Presets and Setlists” 14. Scribble Strips The thirteen Helix LCD scribble strips tell each footswitch’s
3. SAVE Press this button to rename and save changes to a preset. current assignment, so there are never any surprises during a show. If a particular
footswitch has more than one block or item assigned, the scribble strip may read
4. Press this button to dive a bit deeper into Helix, and you’ll find Command
“MULTIPLE (X),” where X is the number of assignments. You can custom label
Center, Global EQ, Global Settings, and other menus.
scribble strips—see “Customizing a Footswitch Label”
5. If you ever get lost, press this button to return to the main Home screen.
15. Footswitches The capacitive, touch-sensitive footswitches have colored
6. Press this button once, or multiple times, to quickly jump to the tonestack LED rings that tell you the assigned block or item’s current state. While in Stomp
parameters (Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, etc.) of any Amp+Cab, Amp, and Preamp footswitch mode, touch (but don’t press) a footswitch to quickly select the
models in the current preset. assigned block or item. Touch the switch repeatedly to cycle through multiple
7. Joystick Move the joystick to navigate the main display. On the Home screen, assigned items—see “Stomp Footswitch Mode”
move the joystick to select a block. Press ACTION and move the joystick to move SHORTCUT: While in Stomp footswitch mode, touch (but don’t press) a
the selected block. Turn the joystick to change the selected block’s model. Press footswitch for two seconds to assign that switch to the selected block.
the joystick to open the model list. Press and turn the joystick to quickly scroll
across the signal flow. Yeah, the joystick does a lot.
SHORTCUT: While in Stomp footswitch mode, touch and hold (but don’t
8. BYPASS Press this button to turn the selected block on and off. press) two switches to swap all assignments between them (including any
custom scribble strip names or LED colors).
SHORTCUT: Press and hold BYPASS to turn Global EQ on (the icon
appears in the upper right corner of the LCD) and off.
SHORTCUT: Touch (but don’t press) TAP to display the tempo panel briefly.
This lets you quickly fine-tune the current tempo without navigating to the
9. ACTION Press this button to open the action panel for the selected block or Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo menu.
screen. From the Home screen, the action panel lets you move, copy, paste, and
clear blocks, as well as add any changes you’ve made to a block as a Favorite NOTE: Touch-to-select can optionally be turned off, and other footswitch
or save current settings as the model’s default. Other screens may have unique settings customized—see “Global Settings > Footswitches”
action panels; for example, the Global Settings action panel lets you reset all
global settings at once. 16. Expression Pedal Move the expression pedal to control volume, wah, or a
10. <PAGE/PAGE> If the selected block or item has more than one page of combination of amp and/or effects parameters. Activate the hidden toe switch to
parameters, press < PAGE or PAGE > to view more parameters—see “Selecting toggle between EXP 1 and EXP 2. (The scribble strip above tells you which one is
Blocks/Adjusting Parameters” on page 14. active.) If an external pedal is connected to the rear panel EXP 2 jack, the built-in
pedal becomes EXP 1 only—see “Controller Assign”
11. Knobs 1-6 Turn one of the six knobs below the main display to adjust the
parameter’s value above; press the knob to reset the parameter’s value. If a NOTE: Adding a Wah, Pitch Wham, or Poly Wham block automatically
rectangular button appears above a knob, press the knob to engage its function. assigns its Position parameter to be controlled by EXP 1. Adding a Volume
Pedal or Pan block automatically assigns its Position to be controlled by
SHORTCUT: For most time-based parameters such as delay time or EXP 2.
modulation speed, press the knob to toggle between setting the value in ms
or Hz and note divisions (1/4-note, dotted 1/8-note, etc.).

SHORTCUT: Controllers can be assigned to most parameters. Press and

hold a parameter’s knob to quickly jump to the “Controller Assign” page for
that parameter.

8
Back Panel

EXP2
EXT
AMP
GUITAR IN AUX IN MIC IN SENDS / RETURNS XLR OUT 1/4” OUT PHONES VARIAX MIDI DIGITAL USB POWER
-1- -3- LEFT/MONO AES/EBU
PUSH PUSH
S/PDIF L6 LINK OUT
LEFT/MONO RIGHT
IN OUT/THRU IN
EXP3 CV GND
-2- -4- LIFT RIGHT
OUT

SEND RETURN SEND RETURN

17. EXP 2 and 3 Two additional expression pedals can be connected to Helix and 27. PHONES Out (12Ω) Connect stereo headphones here; turn the top panel
assigned to adjust a wide variety of parameters—see “Controller Assign” PHONES knob to adjust the volume.
18. EXT AMP 1/2 Connect to your traditional guitar amp to switch its channels NOTE: Helix provides plenty of gain for high impedance headphones. With
or turn its reverb on and off. Use a TRS cable for dual operation (1=tip, 2=ring). lower impedance headphones, you may notice a bit of distortion if the
PHONES knob is turned all the way up. This is normal.
19. CV/Expression Out Connect to the expression pedal input on stompboxes
or CV (Control Voltage) input on vintage pedals or synths. 28. VARIAX Input This input provides power, digital audio, effects control, and
20. GUITAR IN Connect your primary guitar or bass guitar here. This jack provides instant recall between Helix and a Line 6 Variax guitar—see “What is Variax?”
impedance selection and a switchable pad. 29. MIDI IN, OUT/THRU Connect Helix to your MIDI gear for sending and
21. AUX IN (10kΩ) Connect a secondary, active-pickup equipped guitar or bass receiving program changes, continuous controllers, and other MIDI messages.
here. 30. S/PDIF IN/OUT Digitally connect Helix to your studio equipment via S/PDIF
22. MIC IN Plug your microphone in here for processing your vocals or recording (75-ohm RCA) cables.
to your computer via USB. This XLR jack provides 48V phantom power for studio NOTE: S/PDIF and AES/EBU cannot be active at the same time—see
condenser mics and a variable low cut filter. “Global Settings > Ins/Outs”
23. SENDS/RETURNS 1-4 These 1/4" ins and outs can be used as FX loops for
31. AES/EBU, L6 LINK L6 LINK provides easy digital audio and remote control
inserting external stompboxes into your tone or as additional inputs and outputs
connectivity between Helix and Line 6 Powercab Plus active guitar speaker
for connecting keyboards, drum machines, mixers, and other gear. See “Send/
systems and DT-Series amplifiers. Alternatively, connect Helix to your studio
Return”
equipment via an AES/EBU (110Ω XLR) cable—see “L6 LINK - Powercab Plus
24. Ground Lift Switch If you are experiencing hums and buzzes, press this and DT 25/50 Amp Options”
button in to eliminate ground loops between your equipment.
32. USB Helix also functions as a high quality, multi-in/out, 24-bit/96kHz audio
25. XLR OUT Use balanced XLR cables to connect to your studio gear, or the interface for Mac and Windows® computers, with DI, Re-amping, and MIDI
house mixer, PA, or FRFR speaker(s) when playing live. When using a mono functionality built right in. Helix can also record to an iPad or iPhone mobile device
playback system, connect only the LEFT/MONO XLR jack. (with optional Apple Camera Connection Kit). Use of a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port is
required—Do not use an external USB hub—see “USB Audio”
IMPORTANT! Never connect the Helix device’s XLR outputs to a device
whose XLR inputs have 48V phantom power enabled! 33. AC In Connect Helix to a grounded AC power outlet.
26. 1/4" OUT Use unbalanced 1/4" TS cables to connect to your guitar amp, FRFR 34. POWER switch It’s alive!
speaker(s), studio monitors, or other playback system. When using a single amp
or speaker, connect only the LEFT/MONO 1/4" jack.

9
Home Screen
90% of your daily tone building is accomplished from the Home screen.
Press at any time to return to the main Home screen.
Select an input block Input blocks turn green Use the joystick or Split block (only “E” appears if Merge block Press BYPASS to Hold BYPASS to
and turn the joystick to when a signal is present touch a switch top visible when the preset has (only visible when turn block on and turn Global EQ
set the input source. and bright red if the to select a block selected); move been edited selected); move off (bypassed on and off; Icon
Each path can have one input clips. (outlined in white) down to create down to create a blocks appear appears when
or two input blocks... a duplicate input duplicate output dim) Global EQ is on
block block
Press PRESET and then
Turn PRESET to
select a preset 16B Dream Rig Duet 1 turn Knob 5 (Select
Snapshot) to choose
one of eight snapshots

A Select an output block and

turn the joystick to route the
PATH 1 signal to back panel jacks,
Path 2, or your computer via
Each of the two signal B USB. Each path can have
one or two output blocks...
paths can be either parallel
(A and B) or serial (A only) Output blocks turn green
when a signal is present and
bright red if the output clips.
PATH 2 A

Press <PAGE / PAGE>

to view more parameters
Turn the joystick to select Delay Harmony Delay for the selected block.
a model; press the joystick This scroll bar indicates
to open the model list. 1/8 [37%] D Minor 40% 0.0dB which page of parameters
indicates a stereo model is displayed­—this block
has three more pages of
Time Feedback Key Scale Mix Level parameters

Press knob to toggle Value appears white and Turn knobs 1-6 to adjust parameters Press knob to return
between note value in brackets if a controller for the selected block Levels to unity (0.0dB)
and ms (or Hz) or snapshot is assigned and Pans to center
to it

10
Quick Start
5. Press Knob 6 (Global Settings).
The Global Settings screen appears:

Global Settings Firmware Version 3.00.0

Setting Proper Output Levels Ins/Outs Preferences MIDI/Tempo

1. Make sure the VOLUME and PHONES knobs are turned down. Footswitches EXP Pedals Displays
PHONES

Ins/Outs
Off Off 0dB Off Multi 0.0dB
Guitar In Mic In Mic In Mic In USB In 1/2 USB In 1/2
Pad 48V Phantom Gain Low Cut Destination Trim

2. Connect a guitar to the Helix GUITAR IN jack. 6. If necessary, move the joystick to select the Ins/Outs submenu.
7. Press PAGE > to select page 2.
8. Using Knobs 1 and 2 under the display, set levels according to
the table below:
Output Are you connecting to...? Then do this:
Guitar pedal or the front of a guitar Set 1/4" Outputs to
amp “Instrument”
1/4"
Powered speakers with unbalanced
Set 1/4" Outputs to “Line”
3. Connect the Helix outputs to your playback system. inputs or digital recorder
Mic inputs on mixer or standalone
Set XLR Outputs to “Mic”
mic preamps
XLR
PA/FRFR speakers or studio monitors
Set XLR Outputs to “Line”
with balanced inputs

OR 9. Slowly turn up the VOLUME knob.

If you’re listening on headphones, slowly turn up the PHONES knob.
PHONES

The Helix device’s 1/4" and XLR output levels must be set to match your playback
system. If you’re only using headphones, for now, skip to step 9.

4. Press to open the Menu.

11
Selecting Presets and Setlists 3. Press to return to the Home screen.
You should see something like this:
1. Turn PRESET to select presets within the current setlist. 01A Quick Start 1
Helix stores eight setlists, each containing 32 banks of four presets (A, B, C, and
D). As we promised, no math—that’s a grand total of 1,024 preset locations. If
that’s not enough, your cover band should be asking for more money.

TIP: Use the free Line 6 HX Edit software to create, backup, and restore
a virtually endless library of presets and setlists stored on your computer.
Remember to try the latest factory and artist-created presets included with
the latest Helix firmware—see page 5. Amp+Cab US Deluxe Nrm
5.9 5.1 7.0 4.4 6.9 6.0

Press PRESET to open the Setlist menu: Drive Bass Mid Treble Presence Ch Vol

1 FACTORY 1 01A US Double Norm

2 FACTORY 2 01B Essex A30
3
4
USER 1
USER 2
01C
01D
Brit Plext Brt
Cali Rectifire Preset Footswitch Mode
5 USER 3 02A Grammatico Brt
6 USER 4 02B Essex A15 Preset mode is used to navigate presets in the current setlist.
7 USER 5 02C Brit 2204
8 TEMPLATES 02D German Ubersonic 1. If not already there, press FS6 (MODE) to select Preset mode.
1 FACTORY 1 16B Bottle Message
The middle eight switches display two banks of presets, and the active preset
CC32: 000 SNAPSHOT 1 appears with a red LED ring and white scribble strip:
Rename PC: 005 Reorder Rename Select Rename
Setlist CC69: 000 Preset Preset Snapshot Snapshot
BANK 02A
Powercore
02B
HechoDeEstrellas
02C
Starsburn
02D
The Bishop Game MODE
HOLD TO EDIT

Navigating the Setlist menu is straightforward:

Turn the joystick (or move it up and down) to select items in a list.
From the Setlist column, press the joystick (or move it right) to load its first BANK 01A 01B 01C 01D TAP
preset.
None More Black Dream Rig+Vocals Jimi, Not Jimmy DAW Remote HOLD FOR TUNER

From the Preset column, move the joystick left to go back to the Setlist col-
umn.
2. Press BANK or BANK to choose the desired banks.
Turn Knob 3 (Reorder Preset) to move the selected preset up and down the
list. The banks’ presets flash, indicating they’re ready to load.

2. Use the joystick to select Setlist 8 TEMPLATES > Preset 01A 3. Press one of the eight preset switches to load the preset.
Quick Start.
NOTE: Footswitch behavior can be customized. See “Global Settings >
TIP: The dark text above Knob 2 displays the required MIDI messages Footswitches”
for recalling the selected setlist, preset, and snapshot from external MIDI
devices or software. In the illustration above, the FACTORY 1 setlist is
recalled with a CC32 message of 000, the 02B Essex A15 preset is recalled
with a PC (program change) message of 005, and SNAPSHOT 1 is recalled
with a CC69 message of 000.

12
Stomp Footswitch Mode Snapshot Footswitch Mode
While in Stomp mode, each of the middle eight footswitches (or left 10 switches if Similar to the snapshots feature in some high-end digital mixers, each of the Helix
Global Settings > Footswitches > Stomp Mode Switches is set to “10 Switches”) can device’s eight snapshots stores and recalls the state of certain elements in the current
do a number of things: preset, including:

• Toggle one or more blocks on and off • Block Bypass—The bypass (on/off) state of all processing blocks (except
Looper), independent of any footswitch assignments. See “Using Snapshots”
• Toggle between two values of one or more parameters
• Parameter Control—The values of any parameters assigned to controllers
• Generate a MIDI, External Amp control, CV/Expression, or QWERTY Hotkey (up to 64 per preset). See “Using Snapshots”
message
• Command Center—The values of any instant MIDI CC, Bank/Prog, MMC, CV
• All of the above, even simultaneously Out, HX Preset, HX Snapshot, and HX Looper commands, plus the state (dim
or lit) of any CC Toggle, CV Toggle, and Ext Amp messages. See “Command
If not already there, press FS6 (MODE) to select Stomp mode. Center”
• Tempo—The current system tempo, if “Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo” >
The middle eight footswitches display blocks’ model names, parameter names,
Tempo Select is set to “Per Snapshot.” (By default, it’s set to “Per Preset”)
Command Center messages, and/or customized labels:

BANK Minotaur Mystery Filter Ubiquitous Vibe Harmony Delay MODE 1. Press BANK and BANK simultaneously to enter Snapshot
mode.
HOLD TO EDIT

The middle eight switches flash, indicating a snapshot is ready to be selected.

BANK 5 SNAPSHOT 5 6 SNAPSHOT 6 7 SNAPSHOT 7 8 SNAPSHOT 8 CANCEL

BANK Teemah! Octo MULTIPLE (3) 6 Switch Looper TAP
HOLD FOR TUNER

NOTE: If a switch is assigned to multiple blocks or items, its scribble strip reads BANK 1 SNAPSHOT 1 2 SNAPSHOT 2 3 SNAPSHOT 3 4 SNAPSHOT 4 TAP
HOLD FOR TUNER

“MULTIPLE (X),” where X is the number of assignments, and stepping on the

switch turns them all on and off. If some blocks are on and some are bypassed,
stepping on the switch toggles each block’s bypass state.
2. Press one of the eight snapshot switches to select it.
NOTE: While in Stomp mode, stepping on BANK or BANK temporarily NOTE: Snapshots are powerful enough to warrant their own chapter. See
enters Preset mode. Once you’ve selected a preset, Helix returns to Stomp “Snapshots” for more information.
mode.

NOTE: If you don’t want Snapshot footswitches to disappear after selecting one,
set “Global Settings > Footswitches” > Knob 4 (Snapshot Mode Switches) to
“Manual Return.” In this case, Helix stays in Snapshot footswitch mode until you
press FS6 (CANCEL).

13
Pedal Edit Mode 4. Use the expression pedal to adjust the parameter.
For fine adjustment, press FS10 (VALUE–) and FS11 (VALUE+). Hold FS10
Most blocks’ settings can be edited without taking your hands off the guitar, including (VALUE–) or FS11 (VALUE +) for faster adjustments.
Amp, Effect, Cab, IR, Split, Mixer, Input, and Output Block parameters—even Variax
String Level, Powercab Plus, and DT25/DT50 remote parameters! If you hate having to To select a different block, press FS7 (BACK).
reach down and twist knobs, Pedal Edit mode will be your new best friend. Although
Pedal Edit is not intended to replace proper controller assignment, in a pinch, it can
5. When finished, press FS12 (EXIT).
also be used to tweak one parameter at a time during a performance. If you want to save any changes made to the preset, hold FS12 (EXIT) for two
seconds.
1. Hold FS6 (MODE) for two seconds.
The preset’s processing blocks appear on the footswitches, flashing:
Selecting Blocks/Adjusting Parameters
Volume Pedal Mystery Filter WhoWatt 100 A/B 1x12 US Deluxe MORE...
Blocks are objects that represent various elements of a preset, such as amps, cabs,
effects, splits, loopers, and even inputs and outputs.

1. From Stomp footswitch mode, briefly touch (but don’t press)

Minotaur Ubiquitous Vibe Octoverb FX Loop 1/2 Adriatic Delay EXIT
HOLD TO SAVE+EXIT
the footswitch assigned to the desired block.
The selected block appears with a white box on both the main LCD and the
scribble strip:

If the preset has more than ten processing blocks, you may not see the block you
want. Press FS6 (MORE...) one or more times until you do.
Harmony Delay
NOTE: Selecting a block in Pedal Edit mode has no correlation to any If multiple blocks are assigned to a footswitch, its scribble strip reads “MULTIPLE
footswitch assignment it may have. (X).” Touch the top of the switch repeatedly until the desired block is selected.

2. Press the footswitch displaying the block you want to edit. NOTE: Repeatedly touching a “MULTIPLE (X)” switch may jump to
The block’s first page of parameters appears at FS1—FS6. completely different screens, depending on its assignments. For example, if
a switch is assigned to an effect block, an effect parameter, and a Command
Center MIDI message, repeated touches will cycle through all three items on
500 ms 50% 20 Hz 84% 0° 25%

Time Feedback Mod Speed Mod Depth Mod Phase Mix

the Home, Controller Assign, and Command Center screens, respectively.
Basically, anything on the switch is only a touch away.

Alternatively, move the joystick to select a block.

BACK PAGE PAGE VALUE– VALUE+ EXIT
HOLD TO SAVE+EXIT

SHORTCUT: Press to quickly select the Amp+Cab, Amp, or Preamp

block and its tonestack parameters (Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, etc.) appear.
If a preset has more than one of these blocks, press repeatedly to cycle
If the block has more than one page of parameters, press FS8 (<PAGE) or FS9 through all tonestacks.
(PAGE>) until you find the parameter. Optionally, press the joystick knob while turning to change its behavior to
quickly select blocks (rather than select a block’s model)—also see “Global
3. Press the footswitch displaying the parameter you want to Settings > Preferences”
adjust.
Press and hold a Time or Speed switch to toggle between setting the value in ms
or Hz and note divisions (1/4-note, dotted 1/8-note, etc.).

14
2. Turn Knobs 1-6 below the screen. 1. Press the joystick to open the model list:
Some blocks have more than one page of parameters, in which case a horizontal
None Mono Ducked Delay
scrollbar appears above the parameters. For example, the red scrollbar above the
Favorites Stereo Reverse Delay
Amp+Cab block’s parameter inspector (shown below) indicates that additional
Distortion Vintage Digital
pages of parameters are available:
Dynamics Vintage Swell
EQ Pitch Echo
Modulation Transistor Tape
Amp+Cab US Deluxe Nrm
Delay Cosmos Echo
5.0 5.1 5.0 4.4 2.0 8.0
Reverb Harmony Delay
Drive Bass Mid Treble Presence Ch Vol
Delay Harmony Delay
1/8 37% A Minor 50% 0.0dB

3. Press <PAGE/PAGE> to access more parameters (if available). Time Feedback Key Scale Mix Level

Most model categories include subcategories. For example, effects generally

have Mono, Stereo, and Legacy subcategories. Amp+Cab and Amp models have
Bypassing a Block Guitar and Bass subcategories. Cab models have Single and Dual subcategories.
Turn the joystick (or move it up and down) to select items in a list.
If a footswitch is assigned to the block, press the switch.
Press the joystick (or move it right) to view a category or subcategory’s con-
Alternatively, select the block and press BYPASS to toggle the tents.
block on and off.
Move the joystick left to go back one column.
Bypassed blocks appear semi-transparent and, if assigned to a footswitch, its LED
ring dims and scribble strip label grays out: IMPORTANT! If you encounter items in the list that are grayed out or
unavailable, this means the current path (1 or 2) cannot accommodate
that category, subcategory, or model. See “Dynamic DSP”
Harmony Delay
NOTE: The first category in the list, Favorites, is initially empty, awaiting you
to add amp, cab, and/or effects models, including your own custom settings
NOTE: The switch’s LED ring and scribble strip label reflect the color and bypass and assignments—see “Adding a Block to Favorites” on page 17.
state of its most recently selected block or item, even if other blocks assigned to
the same switch are enabled. 2. Using the joystick, select the desired category, subcategory,
and model.
MULTIPLE (3) NOTE: Amp+Cab and Cab > Dual blocks are special in that they represent
two models within a single block. To change the amp model in an
Amp+Cab block, press <PAGE until the amp icon is white and turn the
joystick. To change the cab model, press PAGE> until the cab icon is
Choosing a Block’s Model white and turn the joystick.

To change an existing block’s model, select the block and turn the
joystick.
To change the first cab model in a Cab > Dual block, press <PAGE until
To create a new block, select an empty location and turn the the left cab icon is white and turn the joystick. To change the second
joystick. cab model, press PAGE> until the right cab icon is white and turn the
Selecting models within the same category can be very quick. However, as Helix has joystick.
hundreds of items to choose from, using this method to, say, change a mono distortion
block (beginning of the list) into a stereo FX Loop block (end of the list) is very slow.
Instead, you should open the model list:

15
3. To close the model list, select an item in the far right column If Path 1 doesn’t have enough block locations or DSP to accommodate your tone, it
and press the joystick again (or press ). can be routed to Path 2:

Select Path 1’s output block and turn the joystick to select Path 2A.
SHORTCUT: It is also possible to quickly access model subcategories
without ever having to open the model list...
From the Home screen with the desired block location selected, hold
< PAGE and press PAGE > to jump to the next subcategory.
Hold PAGE > and press < PAGE to jump to the previous subcategory, then
turn the joystick to select models within that subcategory. Path 2’s Input block displays an arrow, indicating it is being fed by Path 1.

Choosing an Input
Move the joystick left to select an Input block and turn the joystick.
To view a list of available inputs, press the joystick. If Path 2 has two input blocks, you may select either Path 2A or 2B; or split your signal
further to both 2A and 2B. See “2 into 1” for an example.
Normally you should select “Multi,” which includes three simultaneous inputs: Guitar,
Aux, and Variax.
NOTE: Output blocks display signal present (green) and clipping (red) indication,
as well as output metering (see “Block Level Indicators and Meters”.

SHORTCUT: From any Input block, joystick left to jump to the Output block. Moving Blocks
From any Output block, joystick right to jump to the Input block. We call this the
“Pac Man Shortcut.” 1. Select any block (other than Input or Output) and press ACTION.
The block appears “picked up,” and the action panel appears. The inspector’s
NOTE: Input blocks display signal present (green) and clipping (red) indication,
icon shows you the directions in which the block can be moved.
as well as input metering (see “Block Level Indicators and Meters”.
Use joystick to move block; move down to create Path B
On

Choosing an Output
Copy Paste Clear Clear All Snapshot Add to
Block Block Block Blocks Bypass Favorites...

Move the joystick right to select an Output block and turn the 2. Move the joystick left or right to move the block.
joystick. To view a list of available outputs, press the joystick. Moving the joystick down moves the block to a new parallel B path. See “Serial
vs. Parallel Routing” for details.
Normally you should select “Multi,” which includes four simultaneous pairs of outputs:
1/4", XLR, Digital, and USB 1/2. NOTE: A block on Path 1 cannot be moved to Path 2 (and vice versa). You
can, however, copy and paste a block from one path to the other. See the
next section. All output blocks display Knob 1 (Pan) and Knob 2 (Level), as
well as output meters (see “Block Level Indicators and Meters”.

3. Press ACTION again (or ) to close the action panel.

16
Copying and Pasting a Block Adding a Block to Favorites
Blocks from one path can be copied and then pasted into the same path, the other Once you’ve dialed in an amp or effects block exactly the way you like it, you can
path, or a path in an entirely different preset. save its settings as a “Favorite” so the block can be added very quickly to other tones,
complete with your stored parameter settings, bypass state, and existing bypass
1. Select the block you wish to copy and press ACTION. assignment (excluding any existing controller or snapshot assignments)*.
2. Press Knob 1 (Copy Block). Favorites appear in the model menu’s “Favorites” category and can be renamed,
reordered, and cleared. You can add up to 128 favorites.
3. Select the location you wish to paste the block—even in a
different preset—and press ACTION. *NOTE: If you don’t want a favorite to be recalled with its bypass assignment,
4. Press Knob 2 (Paste Block). add the block to favorites before creating a custom bypass assignment.
Input, Output, Split, or Merge Mixer block types cannot be added as favorites.
NOTE: Inputs, Outputs, Splits, Merges, and Loopers can also be copied and
pasted. However, if you, for example, try pasting the Looper into the Split 1. Choose one of your preferred amps or effects and tweak it
block’s location, Knob 2 (Paste Block) will be grayed out. Furthermore, if the exactly how you like it, with or without a bypass assignment.
destination path’s DSP cannot accommodate the copied block, the header
will briefly read “Cannot Paste—Path 1 [or 2] DSP full!” See “Dynamic DSP” 2. Press ACTION and then press Knob 6 (Add to Favorites). The
Favorites list appears.
Cannot Paste—Path 1 DSP Full!
None Talent Boost
On
Copy Paste Clear Clear All Snapshot Add to
Favorites Sustain4Eva
Block Block Block Blocks Bypass Favorites... Distortion Squish Comp
Dynamics Detox EQ
EQ Golden Echoes
Modulation Pitch Slap

Clearing a Block Delay

Reverb
Big Room

1. Select the block you wish to clear and press ACTION. Select existing favorite to replace or add new favorite...

2. Press Knob 3 (Clear Block).

Replace Add New
Cancel Favorite Favorite

3. To replace an existing favorite, select the favorite you want to

Clearing All Blocks replace and press Knob 5 (Replace Favorite).*
To add a new favorite, select the location where you want to
Clearing all blocks removes all processing blocks (including the Looper) and resets
both Path 1 and 2 to serial. It does not affect Path 1A or Path 2A Input and Output
add it and press Knob 6 (Add New Favorite).
blocks, nor does it affect the “Command Center” Once added, the model and its stored settings appear within the Inspector, now
with the Favorites icon at its left, replacing its previous Category icon.
1. Press ACTION.
2. Press Knob 4 (Clear All Blocks). Amp+Cab
6.4 3.4
Revv Gen Purple
5.0 4.4 6.4 8.0
The following dialog appears: Drive Bass Mid Treble Presence Ch Vol

Clear all blocks?

Cancel OK

3. Press Knob 6 (OK).

17
4. OPTIONAL: While the Favorites list is open, press ACTION.
• To reorder the selected favorite up or down the list, turn Reorder Favorite
Saving/Naming a Preset
• To rename the selected favorite, press Rename Favorite 1. Press SAVE to open the Save Preset screen:
• To clear the selected favorite, press Clear Favorite Save Preset
• To clear all favorites, press Clear All Favorites. A dialog appears. Press J
OK to confirm. K
To put your favorites to use... Within any preset, select an empty block and turn the L
joystick. All your perfectly-tweaked favorite amps and effects appear as your first M ‘ L a d y N e c k b e a r d
options, without having to open the model list at all! N
O
*NOTE: If you replace and overwrite an existing favorite that is already in use P
within your presets, the presets remain unchanged. Replace 1 FACTORY 1 > 26A M’Lady Neckbeard
However, if you want to “update” any preset to use the newly-edited favorite, select 1 26A

the existing favorite block with the preset, turn the joystick knob one click away and Cancel Delete Insert Setlist Destination Save
then back to effectively “reload” the updated favorite.
Move the joystick left or right to move the cursor.
TIP: Using the HX Edit app, you can export your favorites to your computer as .fav Turn the joystick (or move it up/down) to change the selected character.
files, allowing you to build a virtually limitless collection that can be imported back
into your device’s Favorites library at any time—as well as shared between devices, or Press Knob 2 (Delete) to delete the selected character and shift all following
with other Helix/HX device and Helix Native owners! HX Edit also offers several features characters to the left.
for easily managing your Favorites library. Press Knob 3 (Insert) to insert a space and shift all following characters to
the right.

Saving a Model’s User Default Settings SHORTCUT: Press the joystick to cycle through A, a, 0, and [SPACE].

If you find yourself constantly re-tweaking your commonly-used models the same way, you 2. Turn Knob 4 (Setlist) and Knob 5 (Destination) to choose the
can save a model’s settings as its new defaults (excluding Input, Output, Split, or Merge Setlist and Preset location you wish to overwrite.
Mixer blocks’ settings) so the model shows up that way every time.
Any of Helix’s 1,024 presets can be overwritten.
1. Choose any model and tweak it exactly how you like it. 3. Press SAVE again or Knob 6 (Save).
Configure any of its parameters and bypass state. (Existing MIDI, bypass,
snapshot, and controller assignments are not saved with the User Model Defaults.)

2. Press ACTION, press PAGE and then Knob 2 (User Default). Creating/Restoring Full Device Backups
All your current parameter settings are now saved as the default for all future uses Creating full backups of your Helix device’s presets, IRs, Favorites, custom model
of the model. (Existing presets that include the model are not affected.) defaults, and global settings is highly recommended to make sure your precious
NOTE: To return a model to factory defaults, press ACTION, press PAGE , custom tones and configurations are never lost! Fortunately, the free Line 6 HX Edit
and then press Knob 1 (Factory Default). No current presets’ model settings app makes it easy to create full backups and restore them anytime (available from
are changed—you’ll see the factory defaults restored the next time you line6.com/software). Please refer to the HX Edit Pilot’s Guide for steps on how to use
insert the model. its built-in Backup & Restore features.

18
Serial vs. Parallel Routing ...or maybe a single Amp block splitting into two separate Cab blocks...

For many guitar tones, a serial (one stereo path) signal flow is more than adequate.
For example, our 8 TEMPLATES > 01A Quick Start preset has a volume pedal, wah
pedal, Amp+Cab, reverb, and looper, but there’s still room for distortion, modulation,
and delay blocks:

...or two separate Amp and two separate Cab blocks...

For more sophisticated tones, a parallel (two stereo paths) signal flow can be created.
This lets one split the signal into two stereo paths, process them separately, and mix
the two paths back together.

1. Select the Amp+Cab block and press ACTION to pick it up.

2. Move the joystick down.
The Amp+Cab block is moved to a newly created parallel path B (lower). ...or two separate Amp blocks merging into a Cab > Dual block.

In the illustration above:

Remember, this is only half of your tone. You still have Paths 2A and 2B to play with!
Our guitar signal goes into the Volume and Wah blocks.
The signal is split to path 1A (upper) and path 1B (lower).
Stereo path 1A (upper) is sent to the Reverb and Looper blocks and Stereo path Removing Parallel Path B
1B (lower) is sent to the Amp+Cab block.
Stereo paths 1A and 1B are merged together after the Looper block and sent to
To remove path B, simply clear any blocks on path B (lower) or
the Multi Output. move them all back up to path A (upper).

3. Press ACTION again to drop the Amp+Cab block.

This preset probably doesn’t sound ideal. A more appropriate tone may have paths 1A
and 1B each with an Amp+Cab block, only to merge again before the Reverb...

19
Moving Split & Merge Blocks for More 1 into 2
Parallel Routings Move the Merge block down to path B.
The Merge block shifts right, and a duplicate Output block is created:
1. Use the joystick to select the point where paths A and B split
or merge.
“Split” and “Merge” blocks only appear when selected but can be adjusted and
moved like any other processing block.

In this example, the Input block is split to paths A and B, each with its own Output
block. Path A could be routed to the 1/4" outputs, while path B could be routed to
the XLRs.

2. Press ACTION to pick up the Split or Merge block for moving.

Choose one of the following parallel routing options:
True Parallel
Move both the Split and the Merge blocks down to path B.
2 into 1 Duplicate Input and Output blocks are created:
Move the Split block down to path B.
The Split block shifts left, and a duplicate Input block is created:

A guitar and vocal could be processed independently in this routing, each with its
This new Input block can be assigned to a completely different input. This routing own input, stereo path, processing blocks, and outputs. Alternatively, two different
can be used for mixing a guitar and vocal or the models and magnetic pickups in a band members could be processed independently.
connected Variax guitar, each with their own processing blocks.

20
Super Serial True Preset Spillover
A serial path has eight processing block locations. If that’s not enough, you can use In powerful multieffects processors like Helix, switching to a different preset requires
parallel path B to create one big “super serial” path. unloading DSP blocks for the current preset and then loading DSP blocks for the new
one, resulting in a small audible gap. If you’re willing to sacrifice one of Helix’s two
1. Move the Merge block down to path 1B. DSPs, you can achieve true preset spillover, complete with delay and reverb trails.
A duplicate Output block is created.
IMPORTANT! Unfortunately, Looper recording or playback will not currently
2. Move the Split block all the way to the right, past the last spill over from one preset to another.
processing block on path 1A.
3. Select the Output block on path 1A and turn Knob 2 (Level) 1. From the Home screen hold ACTION and press HOME.
all the way down. Or, set Preset Spillover to “On” within “Global Settings > Preferences”
That way, you’re only hearing Output 1B. A dialog appears:

Remove Path 2 to enable preset spillover?

Cancel OK

2. Press Knob 6 (OK)

In the illustration above, our signal is processed by the eight blocks on path 1A and
3. Press HOME.
processed further by the three blocks on path 1B. Path 2 has disappeared—what was previously “Path 1” of your current preset is
now vertically centered on the Home screen.
Of course, if this still isn’t enough, you could always duplicate the above signal flow
with path 2 and then route path 1B’s output block to path 2A for one gigantic serial 07A Happy Trails 1
tone with up to 32 block locations (DSP permitting - See “Dynamic DSP”):

Amp+Cab US Deluxe Nrm

5.0 5.1 5.0 4.4 2.0 8.0

Drive Bass Mid Treble Presence Ch Vol

4. To return to normal operation with two paths, first save your

current preset if you wish to retain your Path 1 changes, then
hold ACTION and press HOME.
Or, set Preset Spillover to “Off” within “Global Settings > Preferences”
A dialog appears:

The preset must be reloaded. All unsaved changes will be lost!

Cancel OK

21
5. Press Knob 6 (OK). That said, there are some rules governing the number of certain types of blocks you
can add to a preset:
Your device is returned to normal, two-path operation.
Amp+Cab, Amp, or Preamp blocks Any combination, up to four (two per path)
Tips for Using Preset Spillover Cab blocks (includes Amp+Cab Up to four (two per path; Cab > Dual blocks
When Preset Spillover mode is active, you can still import and load any saved Helix blocks) are considered two)
preset. However, only the preset’s Path 1 blocks, settings, and routing are loaded. Any
Impulse Response blocks Up to four 1024-point IRs (two per path) or
existing Path 2 blocks, along with their settings and assignments, remain saved within two 2048-point IRs (one per path)
the preset and are restored when you turn Preset Spillover Off. To follow are several
tips and behaviors you’ll want to be aware of when Preset Spillover is active: Polyphonic (“Poly”) effects blocks One per path. These effects include the Poly
Sustain (Delay), Poly Detune (Modulation),
• With Spillover On, Path 2 is hidden, and no audio is routed to it. Therefore, and Poly Pitch, Wham, Capo and 12 String
you’ll want to ensure your presets’ Path 1A and/or Path 1B Output blocks are (Pitch/Synth).
not set to Path 2, or no signal will be heard.
Looper block One
• Some block types are limited to being used once per preset. This means that
you’ll want to avoid loading presets that already include these block types on
Path 2 when you plan to turn Spillover On. These items include:
To see which models can be added to the current path, press the
joystick to open the Model List.
• One Looper block max. can be added per preset.
• One instance of each of the Returns 1~4 can be added per preset, whether Grayed out items cannot be accommodated and are skipped over - See “Selecting
used within a mono or stereo Return block, FX Loop block, or within Input or Blocks/Adjusting Parameters”:
Output blocks—also see “Send/Return” on page 38.
None Mono Pebble Phaser
• One digital type Input block (S/PDIF) max. can be added per preset—also
see “Input” on page 24. Favorites Stereo Ubiquitous Vibe
Distortion Deluxe Phaser
• Any combination of up to 64 total controller assignments can be created
Dynamics Gray Flanger
within a preset, therefore, it’s unlikely you’ll run out. If you want to max out
EQ Harmonic Flanger
your controller assignments, best to eliminate them from path 2 blocks.
Modulation Courtesan Flange
• For preset changes—if preset A is still spilling over into preset B, switching to Delay Dynamix Flanger
preset C will abruptly cut off preset A. That is, you’ll only ever hear two presets Reverb Chorus
(DSPs) at the same time.
Modulation Chorus
• When a Delay block is set with Tempo Sync “On” (i.e., its Time parameter is 2.5 2.0 5.0 Triangle 5.0 50%
set to note divisions), the trails will attempt to sync to the new preset’s BPM
on preset change. To keep delay trails’ tempo consistent, avoid using Tempo Speed Depth Predelay WavShape Tone Mix
sync for Delays, or set your “Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo” - Tempo Select
to Global.
• Note that whether Spillover is On or Off, you can also store and recall multiple
Tips to Optimize DSP
blocks’ on/off states and parameter settings within your current preset with • Each of Helix’s two primary paths utilizes its own DSP. If all of your blocks
seamless switching using Snapshots! See “Snapshots” on page 45. are on paths 1A and 1B, you’re only using half its horsepower! If you plan on
creating tones with two or more amps and more than a handful of effects,
expect to use both paths 1 and 2

Dynamic DSP • Some block types use much more DSP than others, such as Amps, IRs,
Reverbs, and Poly effects models. EQ, Dynamics, Volume/Pan, and Send/
Return blocks use relatively little
Like nearly all modern audio processors, the Helix engine is based on DSP (Digital
Signal Processing). Some models require many times more DSP horsepower than • Some models may use more DSP than others in the same category. This is
others, so it makes logical sense that fewer of those models could exist in a tone. To especially true with amp models
work around this, some processors restrict you to one amp, one reverb, one delay, • Instead of a parallel path with two Amp+Cab blocks or two separate Amps
etc. With Helix, we feel it’s important to let you keep adding whatever you want to your and Cabs, try adding a single Amp block followed by one Cab > Dual block
tone, even if you may eventually run out of DSP. (mixing two different Cabs can provide some substantial variations)

22
 • The stereo version of an effects block will use approximately twice as much • Split Variax modeled and magnetic signals, process them separately through
DSP as a mono version of the same block. Likewise, the dual version of a cab independent signal paths, and either mix them together or route them to
block will use roughly twice as much DSP as the single version different Helix outputs
• Some model categories have “Simple” blocks, which utilize less DSP than • Power the Variax modeling engine via a VDI (CAT-5 or Ethercon) cable,
others eliminating the need for the Variax guitar’s removable battery
• Instead of toggling between two of the same amp or effects blocks (with
different settings), use controllers or snapshots to instantly adjust parameters
within a single block

Block Order and Stereo Imaging

Most of the Helix effects models have both mono and stereo versions. A stereo block
displays after its model name in the inspector. The stereo imaging—or how wide
your tone appears with stereo speakers or headphones—is highly dependent on the
type of blocks you add, and in what order.
Keep the following things in mind when building tones:
• All Amp+Cab, Amp, Preamp, and Poly effects blocks are mono, so any stereo Variax Workbench HD Application Support
signal sent into these will be collapsed to mono. As such, it’s a good idea to
Helix can also be used as the USB interface for the Line 6 Workbench HD
add only mono blocks before amps and preamps
editor/librarian software (v2.13, or later). Workbench HD is a free application
• Adding a mono effects block will collapse any preceding stereo blocks on the for Mac and PC, available from line6.com/software. To use your James Tyler®,
same path to mono Shuriken™, or Standard Variax Standard with Workbench HD, you’ll need to configure
• If you’re only ever connecting Helix to the front of a single guitar amp or PA/ the following:
FRFR speaker, there may be no need to use stereo models at all (except, of • Go to Helix “Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo” and set MIDI over USB to “On”
course, for models that are only offered as stereo!)
• If using Workbench HD on Windows, you must install the Helix USB driver
• Legacy effects models vary in behavior: (v1.85 or later)—available from line6.com/software
• Legacy Distortion, Dynamics & Pitch/Synth effects are mono
• It is recommended to update your Variax to the latest Variax HD firmware
• Legacy Modulation & Delay effects vary in that some are mono, some stereo,
and some mono-in/stereo-out, where adjusting the effect’s Mix parameter IMPORTANT! Variax Workbench HD uses MIDI channel 16. When connecting
can narrow the stereo image that is fed into them to Workbench HD via Helix’s USB port, do not assign Helix or any of Helix’s
• Legacy Filter and Reverb effects are stereo Command Center messages to MIDI channel 16 or Omni (which includes
channel 16).

What is Variax?
Line 6 Variax guitars feature special electronics that model the sound of other specific
guitars and instruments, as well as allow for instant retuning of each string. Helix and
Variax work together in powerful and flexible ways. You can:
• Store Variax model, tuning, and/or volume and tone knob positions with a
Helix preset or snapshot and recall them instantly
• Toggle between two Variax models and/or tunings via footswitch or MIDI CC
• Turn the Variax volume and/or tone knobs to control one or more Helix amp
and effects parameters remotely. You could almost think of them as EXP 4
and EXP 5

23
The Blocks
All input blocks include a dedicated noise gate and gain reduction meter (see page
42). Threshold and Decay parameters are grayed out unless the Input Gate
parameter is turned on:
-90 -75 -60 -45 -30 -15 0
Input Multi (Guitar, Aux, Variax)
Off –48.0dB 500 ms Auto

Input Input Gate Threshold Decay Guitar In-Z

Each preset can have up to four Input blocks (one or two per path). Input > Multi and Input > Guitar blocks have an additional Guitar In-Z parameter. Helix
has an impedance circuit on its Guitar Input that affects tone and feel by loading
your guitar’s pickups as they would by an effect pedal or amplifier. A lower value
will typically result in some high frequency attenuation, lower gain, and an overall
“softer” feel. A higher value provides full frequency response, higher gain, and an
overall “tighter” feel. The “Auto” option allows the impedance to reflect the impedance
None Disables (mutes) the input block. Only available on Path 2. of the first block on Path 1A—also see the Auto Impedance option in “Global Settings
> Preferences” on page 64
Multi Guitar, Aux, and Variax inputs are all active simultaneously.
Normally, it is best to choose Multi. Multi and Variax input blocks have additional pages for Variax parameters:

Guitar Guitar in only.

James Tyler Variax, Shuriken Variax, or Variax Standard
Aux Aux in only. (10kΩ input for an active-pickup equipped guitar or
bass.) NOTE: All Input block - Variax parameters on pages 2 through 4 change
functionality between Per Preset vs. Global following how you set the Variax
Variax With a James Tyler (JTV), Shuriken Variax, or Standard Variax Settings parameter (Knob 1 on page 2).
guitar, the “Variax” Input source receives the Model or Magnetic
signal, depending on the guitar’s Model switch setting.
Page Knob Parameter Description
Variax Magnetics Receives only the Variax magnetic pickup signal.
Determines whether all Variax settings (pages 2~4)
1 Variax Settings
Mic Mic in only. are applied per preset or globally.

Return 1, 2, 3, 4, Returns 1, 2, 3, and 4 can act as additional mono input blocks. Selects the Variax model and pickup position
1/2, 3/4 Returns 1/2 and 3/4 can act as additional stereo input blocks 2 Variax Model setting. When set to “Don’t Force,” Helix respects
for processing keyboards, drum machines, or even other the Variax current setting.
modelers. If a Return or FX Loop processing block exists in Remotely sets the Variax volume knob setting.
the preset, the utilized Return input will be non-selectable. See Variax Volume
3 When set to “Don’t Force,” Helix respects the
“Send/Return” Knob current Variax volume knob position.
S/PDIF S/PDIF digital in only. If a Variax input (or Multi input, which Remotely sets the Variax tone knob setting. When
includes Variax) exists on another Input block within the preset, Variax Tone
2 4 set to “Don’t Force,” Helix respects the current
S/PDIF in will be non-selectable. Knob Variax tone knob position.
USB 3/4, 5/6, USB inputs 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 can all be used for processing When set to “Unlocked,” the Variax tone knob,
7/8 tracks from your Mac or Windows DAW software. See “USB volume knob, and toggle switch remain active.
Audio” Variax Lock
5 When locked, the Variax knobs and/or switches no
Control longer control the local guitar functions. Turning
Helix also receives input from USB 1/2, but it’s dedicated to
monitoring audio from your computer (or iPad or iPhone mobile the Variax model knob resets all to “Unlocked.”
device) and bypasses all processing blocks. As such, it’s not When set to “Don’t Force,” Helix respects the
available as an input block source. Variax guitar’s current tuning. When set to
6 Variax Tuning
“Custom,” Helix engages any custom tuning on
TIP: Input blocks include a built-in signal present/clip indicator—see page 42. page 3.

24
Page Knob Parameter Description Digital Choose the Digital Output type (S/PDIF or AES/EBU), Digital Output
S/PDIF, Level, and the desired Sample Rate in the “Global Settings > Ins/Outs”.
1 Variax String 6 AES/EBU, The Global Ins/Outs settings are not necessary for L6 LINK—also see
2 Variax String 5 Choose the number of half-steps, positive or L6 LINK “L6 LINK - Powercab Plus and DT 25/50 Amp Options” on page 25.
negative, for which you want to raise or lower
3 Variax String 4 USB 1/2, USB 1/2, 3/4, and 5/6 can act as additional output blocks for routing
the pitch of the selected string. The note labels
3 USB 3/4, paths to your computer, or iPad, or iPhone mobile devices (with optional
4 Variax String 3 displayed assume the guitar is tuned to standard
pitch (E, A, D, G, B, E), with the A using a 440 Hz USB 5/6 Apple Camera Connection Kit).
5 Variax String 2 reference pitch. USB 7 and 8 are dedicated for re-amping, and are not available as
output block destinations. See “USB Audio” for details.
6 Variax String 1
All output blocks display Knob 1 (Pan) and Knob 2 (Level), as well as output meters
(see “Block Level Indicators and Meters” on page 42):
Page Knob Parameter Description
1 String Level 6 Output Multi (1/4”, XLR, Digital, USB 1/2)
Center 0.0dB
2 String Level 5 Pan Level
3 String Level 4 Attenuate the volume levels individually per string,
4 SHORTCUT: Press Knob 1 (Pan) to return Pan to center. Press Knob 2 (Level) to
4 String Level 3 if desired.
return Level to unity (0.0dB).
5 String Level 2
TIP: Use Knob 2 (Level) to set the path’s overall level, which is important to
6 String Level 1 ensure all of your presets maintain a consistent volume throughout your set.

Output L6 LINK - Powercab Plus and DT 25/50 Amp

Each preset can have up to four Output blocks (one or two per path). Options
Alternatively, the digital XLR connector can be used for L6 LINK output to the L6 LINK
input of up to two Line 6 Powercab Plus active guitar speaker systems or DT 25/50
amplifiers, with one or more of these receiving devices connected in series (use of a
110Ω XLR cable is recommended for all L6 LINK connections). When more than one
Powercab Plus or DT 25/50 units are connected via L6 LINK, your stereo Helix signal
Multi 1/4", XLR, Digital, and USB 1/2 outputs are all active simultaneously. is intelligently split, with the left channel going to the first unit and the right channel to
Normally, it is best to choose Multi. the second. If you have one Powercab or DT connected, the Helix output is collapsed
Path 2A, These outputs only appear for Path 1 output blocks and route Path 1 to mono and fed to the single unit. L6 LINK also sends remote control messages,
2B, or into Path 2. providing customizable control over your connected devices right from Helix—globally
2A+B or per preset!
1/4" 1/4" outs only. The Output block - Powercab and DT 25/50 settings are available on pages 2~5 for
any Multi or Digital output block type, allowing you to customize the desired options
XLR XLR outs only. for your respective device(s) from Helix. (Please also refer to your Powercab Plus and
Send 1/2, Send 1/2 and 3/4 can act as additional output blocks. DT 25/50 Pilot’s Guides.)
Send 3/4
NOTE: Powercab Plus and DT 25/50 firmware v2.00 or later is required for L6 LINK
functionality.

25
Output Block - Powercab Settings Output Block - Powercab Plus Remote Settings
Output Block - Powercab Plus Remote Settings Page Knob Parameter Description
Page Knob Parameter Description When in Speaker Mode, determines the Powercab
Speaker
Determines the behavior for all page 2~3 settings 1 mic distance, used on Powercab’s XLR output(s):
Mic Dist 1.0~12.0 inches,.
sent to your connected Powercab Plus unit(s):
Off - No Powercab Remote settings are sent. Speaker When in User IR Mode, determines the Powercab
2
Powercab Preset - All Powercab Remote settings are stored with User IR User IR used: index 0~127.
1
Remote the current preset and sent upon load of the preset. Speaker When in Speaker or User IR Mode, configures the
3
Global - All Powercab Remote settings are sent, Low Cut Low Cut EQ applied, Off or 20Hz~500Hz.
with all settings remaining the same, regardless of 3
Speaker When in Speaker or User IR Mode, configures the
the current Helix preset. 4
Hi Cut Hi Cut EQ applied: 500Hz~20kHz or Off.
Determines the Powercab mode: Flat, Speaker,
Powercab or User IR. (Note that some page 2~3 Powercab Speaker When in Speaker or User IR Mode, configures the
2 5
Mode settings will change reflecting the Mode selected Level volume trim applied: -60dB~+6dB.
here.) When in Speaker or User IR Mode, choose the LED
Speaker
Flat When in Flat Mode, determines its speaker Voicing 6 ring color on any connected Powercab(s): Auto,
3 Color color choice, or Off.
Voicing type: FRFR, LF Flat, or LF Raw.
2
Determines which Powercab unit(s) you want Output Block - DT25/50 Settings
to control: Powercab 1, Powercab 2, or both
simultaneously (1+2 Link). Normally, you should Output Block - DT25/50 Remote Settings
leave this set to 1+2 Link, which edits both
Powercabs simultaneously, to maintain phase Page Knob Parameter Description
Speaker
4 coherence. Note that with Powercab 212 Plus, Determines the behavior for all page 4~5 settings
Select Powercab 1 targets the left speaker in each (or both) sent to your connected DT 25/50 unit(s):
amp(s), and Powercab 2 targets the right speaker in
each (or both) amp(s). Off - No DT Remote settings are sent.
You’ll see the following Powercab page 2~3 settings DT 25/50 Preset - All DT Remote settings are stored with the
1
reflect the option selected here. Remote current preset and sent upon load of the preset.
Global - All DT Remote settings are sent, with
Speaker When in Speaker Mode, determines the Powercab all settings remaining the same regardless of the
5
Type speaker model. current Helix preset.
Speaker When in Speaker Mode, determines the Powercab Determines which DT you want to control: DT 1,
6
DI mic mic model used on Powercab’s XLR output(s). DT 2, or both simultaneously (1+2 Link). (Note that
2 DT Select
page 4~5 DT settings reflect the option selected
4 here.
When set to A (Helix), the DT unit(s) switch to Chan. A
and its preamp bypassed, allowing your Helix signal
3 DT Channel
to be utilized. When set to B (DT Pre), the DT switches
to Chan. B, and its internal preamp is activated.
4 DT Topology Determines the negative feedback loop Topology: I~IV.
DT Determines the tube Power Amp mode: Class A or
5
Power Amp Class AB.
DT Determines the configuration of the DT power
6
Tube Config tubes: Triode or Pentode.

26
 Output Block - DT25/50 Remote Settings Effects
Page Knob Parameter Description
Many Helix effects blocks are offered in mono or stereo versions. Stereo effects display
Determines the On/Off state of the DT amp’s on- after the model name. Also, Helix includes selected effects from the classic Line 6
1 DT Reverb
board Reverb. DL4™, DM4™, MM4™, and FM4™ stompboxes, as well as M13®, M9®, and M5®
DT Determines the wet/dry Mix of the Reverb effect: processors; these appear in the Legacy subcategory (also see “Block Order and
2 Stereo Imaging” on page 23).
Rev Mix 0~100%.
(DT50 only) Determines the On/Off state of the DT
DT
5 3 amp’s 12AX7 Boost. Available when the DT50 Low
12AX7 Boost Volume Mode is Off.
DT (DT50 only) Determines the DT feedback capacitor Select an effects block and turn the joystick to change its model,
4
Feedback Cap type: X (Tight) or Y (Smooth). or press the joystick knob to enter the Model menu.
DT (DT50 only) Determines the level of the DT phase TIP: The Favorites category that appears at the start of the Model menu is
5
B+ Voltage inverter B+ Voltage: Low or High. initially empty, awaiting you to add your preferred models to it—see page 17.

TIPS: Just like with any amp, cab, or effect parameter, Powercab, and DT Distortion Models
remote parameters can be quickly assigned to footswitches or snapshots.
Model Subcategories Based On*
When using the L6 LINK Out, often, the Helix Preamp models are a better choice
than Amp or Amp+Cab models, allowing you to adjust the power amp and Kinky Boost Mono, Stereo Xotic® EP Booster
speaker cab options offered by the Powercab or DT units to taste.
Deranged Master Mono, Stereo Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
Powercab Plus users can also utilize the IR and Reverb options available on the
Powercab, thereby alleviating the need to add IR or Reverb blocks within their Minotaur Mono, Stereo Klon® Centaur
Helix presets. Teemah! Mono, Stereo Paul Cochrane Timmy® Overdrive
It is possible to use Helix to control several parameters remotely on your DT- Heir Apparent Mono, Stereo Analogman Prince of Tone
Series amp (channel select, power amp topology, reverb, etc.) via MIDI. Connect
a 5-pin MIDI cable from Helix’s MIDI Out to the DT amp’s MIDI In and use the Tone Sovereign Mono, Stereo Analogman King of Tone
Helix “Command Center” to configure the desired MIDI commands for any Alpaca Rogue Mono, Stereo Way Huge® Red Llama (modded)
preset.
Compulsive Drive Mono, Stereo Fulltone® OCD
Start by loading the TEMPLATES > DT25-DT50 Remote preset since it has
several handy DT commands already mapped to Helix switches for you. You Dhyana Drive Mono, Stereo Hermida Zendrive
can customize this template and create your own sets of controls to add to
your presets. See the DT MIDI Implementation Guide for a complete list of MIDI Horizon Drive Mono, Stereo Horizon Precision Drive
commands. Valve Driver Mono, Stereo Chandler Tube Driver
Top Secret OD Mono, Stereo DOD® OD-250
Scream 808 Mono, Stereo Ibanez® TS808 Tube Screamer®
Hedgehog D9 Mono, Stereo MAXON® SD9 Sonic Distortion
Stupor OD Mono, Stereo BOSS® SD-1 Overdrive
Deez One Vintage Mono, Stereo BOSS® DS-1 Distortion (Made-in-Japan)
Deez One Mod Mono, Stereo BOSS® DS-1 Distortion (Keeley modded)
Vermin Dist Mono, Stereo Pro Co RAT

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.

27
 Distortion Models Distortion Models
Model Subcategories Based On* Model Subcategories Based On*
KWB Mono, Stereo Benadrian Kowloon Walled Bunny Distortion Jet Fuzz Legacy Roland® Jet Phaser
Legendary Drive Mono, Stereo Carvin® VLD1 Legacy Drive (hi gain channel) L6 Drive Legacy Colorsound® Overdriver (modded)
Swedish Chainsaw Mono, Stereo Boss® HM-2 Heavy Metal Distortion (MIJ) L6 Distortion Legacy Line 6 Original
Arbitrator Fuzz Mono, Stereo Arbiter® FuzzFace® Sub Oct Fuzz Legacy PAiA Roctave Divider
Pocket Fuzz Mono, Stereo Jordan Boss Tone Fuzz Octave Fuzz Legacy Tycobrahe® Octavia
Bighorn Fuzz Mono, Stereo ’73 Electro-Harmonix® Ram’s Head Big Muff Pi®
Triangle Fuzz Mono, Stereo Electro-Harmonix® Big Muff Pi®
Dynamics Models
Model Subcategories Based On*
Ballistic Fuzz Mono, Stereo Euthymia ICBM Fuzz
Industrial Fuzz Mono, Stereo Z.Vex Fuzz Factory Deluxe Comp Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

Tycoctavia Fuzz Mono, Stereo Tycobrahe Octavia

® Red Squeeze Mono, Stereo MXR® Dyna Comp

Wringer Fuzz Mono, Stereo Garbage’s modded BOSS® FZ-2 Kinky Comp Mono, Stereo Xotic® SP Compressor

Thrifter Fuzz Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Rochester Comp Mono, Stereo Ashly® CLX-52 (in conjunction w/ B. Sheehan)

Xenomorph Fuzz Mono, Stereo Subdecay Harmonic Antagonizer LA Studio Comp Mono, Stereo Teletronix® LA-2A®

Megaphone Mono, Stereo Megaphone 3-Band Comp Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

Bitcrusher Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Noise Gate Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

Ampeg Scrambler Mono, Stereo Ampeg® Scrambler Bass Overdrive Hard Gate Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

ZeroAmp Bass DI Mono, Stereo Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI V1 Horizon Gate Mono, Stereo Horizon Precision Drive - Gate Circuit

Obsidian 7000 Mono, Stereo Darkglass® Electronics Microtubes® B7K Ultra Autoswell Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

Clawthorn Drive Mono, Stereo Wounded Paw Battering Ram Tube Comp Legacy Teletronix® LA-2A®

Tube Drive Legacy Chandler Tube Driver Red Comp Legacy MXR® Dyna Comp

Screamer Legacy Ibanez® Tube Screamer® Blue Comp Legacy BOSS® CS-1

Overdrive Legacy DOD® Overdrive/Preamp 250 Blue Comp Treb Legacy BOSS® CS-1 (Treble switch on)

Classic Dist Legacy ProCo RAT Vetta Comp Legacy Line 6 Original

Heavy Dist Legacy BOSS® Metal Zone Vetta Juice Legacy Line 6 Original

Colordrive Legacy Colorsound® Overdriver Boost Comp Legacy MXR® Micro Amp

Buzz Saw Legacy Maestro® Fuzz Tone TIP: Dynamics - Compressor and Gate models display a handy gain reduction
Facial Fuzz Legacy Arbiter® Fuzz Face® meter—see page 42.

Jumbo Fuzz Legacy Vox® Tone Bender

Fuzz Pi Legacy Electro-Harmonix® Big Muff Pi®

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.

28
 EQ Models Modulation Models
Model Subcategories Based On* Model Subcategories Based On*
Simple EQ Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original 122 Rotary Stereo Leslie® 122
Low and High Cut Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original 145 Rotary Stereo Leslie® 145
Low/High Shelf Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Double Take Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original
Parametric Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Poly Detune † Mono Line 6 Original
Tilt Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original AM Ring Mod Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original
10 Band Graphic Mono, Stereo MXR 10-Band Graphic EQ
®
Pitch Ring Mod Stereo Line 6 Original
Cali Q Graphic Mono, Stereo MESA/Boogie Mark IV Graphic EQ
®
Pattern Tremolo Legacy Line 6 Original
Acoustic Sim Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Panner Legacy Line 6 Original
Bias Tremolo Legacy 1960 Vox® AC-15 Tremolo
Modulation Models Opto Tremolo Legacy 1964 Fender® Deluxe Reverb®
Model Subcategories Based On*
Script Phase Legacy MXR® Phase 90 (script logo version)
Optical Trem Mono, Stereo Fender optical tremolo circuit
®
Panned Phaser Legacy Ibanez® Flying Pan
60s Bias Trem Mono, Stereo Vox AC-15 Tremolo
®
Barberpole Legacy Line 6 Original
Tremolo/Autopan Mono, Stereo BOSS® PN-2 Dual Phaser Legacy Mu-Tron® Bi-Phase
Harmonic Tremolo Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original U-Vibe Legacy Shin-ei Uni-Vibe®
Bleat Chop Trem Mono, Stereo Lightfoot Labs Goatkeeper Phaser Legacy MXR® Phase 90
Script Mod Phase Mono, Stereo MXR Phase 90
®
Pitch Vibrato Legacy BOSS® VB-2
Pebble Phaser Mono, Stereo Electro-Harmonix Small Stone®
Dimension Legacy Roland® Dimension D
Ubiquitous Vibe Mono, Stereo Shin-ei Uni-Vibe ®
Analog Chorus Legacy BOSS® CE-1
Deluxe Phaser Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Tri Chorus Legacy Dytronics® Tri-Stereo Chorus
Gray Flanger Mono, Stereo MXR® 117 Flanger Analog Flanger Legacy MXR® Flanger
Harmonic Flanger Mono, Stereo A/DA Flanger Jet Flanger Legacy A/DA Flanger
Courtesan Flange Mono, Stereo Electro-Harmonix® Deluxe EM AC Flanger Legacy MXR® Flanger
Dynamix Flanger Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original 80A Flanger Legacy A/DA Flanger
Chorus Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Frequency Shift Legacy Line 6 Original
70s Chorus Mono, Stereo BOSS® CE-1 Ring Modulator Legacy Line 6 Original
PlastiChorus Mono, Stereo Modded Arion SCH-Z chorus Rotary Drum Legacy Fender® Vibratone
Trinity Chorus Stereo Dytronics Tri-Stereo Chorus
®
Rotary Drum/Horn Legacy Leslie® 145
Bubble Vibrato Mono, Stereo BOSS VB-2 Vibrato
®

Vibe Rotary Stereo Fender® Vibratone

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.
 The Poly Detune model utilizes polyphonic pitch shifting and, therefore, is extremely DSP-intensive—possibly utilizing up to half of all DSP available for Path 1 or Path 2!
†

29
 Delay Models Delay Models
Model Subcategories Based On* Model Subcategories Based On*
Simple Delay Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Tube Echo Legacy Maestro® Echoplex EP-1
Mod/Chorus Echo Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Tape Echo Legacy Maestro® Echoplex EP-3
Dual Delay Stereo Line 6 Original Sweep Echo Legacy Line 6 Original
Multitap 4 Stereo Line 6 Original Echo Platter Legacy Binson® EchoRec®
Multitap 6 Stereo Line 6 Original Analog Echo Legacy BOSS® DM-2
Ping Pong Stereo Line 6 Original Analog w/Mod Legacy Electro-Harmonix® Deluxe Memory Man
Sweep Echo Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Auto-Volume Echo Legacy Line 6 Original
Ducked Delay Mono, Stereo TC Electronic® 2290 Multi-Head Legacy Roland® RE-101 Space Echo
Reverse Delay Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original
Vintage Digital Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original
Reverb Models
Model Subcategory Based On*
Vintage Swell Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original
Pitch Echo Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Glitz Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

Transistor Tape Mono, Stereo Maestro® Echoplex EP-3 Ganymede Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

Cosmos Echo Mono, Stereo Roland® RE-201 Space Echo Searchlights Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

Harmony Delay Stereo Line 6 Original Plateaux Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

Bucket Brigade Mono, Stereo BOSS® DM-2 Double Tank Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original

Adriatic Delay Mono, Stereo BOSS® DM-2 w/ Adrian Mod Plate Legacy Line 6 Original

Adriatic Swell Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Room Legacy Line 6 Original

Elephant Man Mono, Stereo Electro-Harmonix® Deluxe Memory Man Chamber Legacy Line 6 Original

Multi Pass Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Hall Legacy Line 6 Original

Poly Sustain † Mono Line 6 Original Echo Legacy Line 6 Original

Glitch Delay Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Tile Legacy Line 6 Original

Ping Pong Legacy Line 6 Original Cave Legacy Line 6 Original

Dynamic Legacy TC Electronic® 2290 Ducking Legacy Line 6 Original

Stereo Legacy Line 6 Original Octo Legacy Line 6 Original

Digital Legacy Line 6 Original ’63 Spring Legacy Line 6 Original

Dig w/Mod Legacy Line 6 Original Spring Legacy Line 6 Original

Reverse Legacy Line 6 Original Particle Verb Legacy Line 6 Original

Lo Res Legacy Line 6 Original

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.
†
 The Poly Sustain model utilizes polyphonic pitch shifting and, therefore, is extremely DSP-intensive—possibly utilizing up to half of all DSP available for Path 1 or Path 2!

30
 Pitch/Synth Models Filter Models
Model Subcategories Based On* Model Subcategories Based On*
Pitch Wham Mono, Stereo Digitech Whammy
® ®
Voice Box Legacy Line 6 Original
Twin Harmony Mono, Stereo Eventide H3000
®
V Tron Legacy Musitronics® Mu-Tron® III
Simple Pitch Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Q Filter Legacy Line 6 Original
Dual Pitch Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Seeker Legacy Z Vex Seek Wah
3 OSC Synth Stereo Line 6 Original Obi Wah Legacy Oberheim® voltage-controlled S&H filter
Poly Pitch †
Mono Line 6 Original Tron Up Legacy Musitronics® Mu-Tron® III (up position)
Poly Wham †
Mono Line 6 Original
Tron Down Legacy Musitronics® Mu-Tron® III (down position)
Poly Capo †
Mono Line 6 Original
Throbber Legacy Electrix® Filter Factory
12 String† Mono Line 6 Original
Slow Filter Legacy Line 6 Original
3 Note Generator ‡ Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original
Spin Cycle Legacy Craig Anderton’s Wah/Anti-Wah
4 OSC Generator ‡ Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original
Comet Trails Legacy Line 6 Original
Bass Octaver Legacy EBS® OctaBass
Smart Harmony Legacy Eventide® H3000 Wah Models
Octi Synth Legacy Line 6 Original Model Subcategories Based On*
Synth O Matic Legacy Line 6 Original UK Wah 846 Mono, Stereo Vox® V846
Attack Synth Legacy Korg X911 Guitar Synth
®
Teardrop 310 Mono, Stereo Dunlop® Cry Baby® Fasel model 310
Synth String Legacy Roland® GR700 Guitar Synth Fassel Mono, Stereo Dunlop® Cry Baby® Super
Growler Legacy Line 6 Original Weeper Mono, Stereo Arbiter® Cry Baby®
Chrome Mono, Stereo Vox® V847
Filter Models Chrome Custom Mono, Stereo Modded Vox® V847
Model Subcategories Based On*
Throaty Mono, Stereo RMC® Real McCoy 1
Mutant Filter Mono, Stereo Musitronics Mu-Tron III
® ®
Vetta Wah Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original
Mystery Filter Mono, Stereo Korg® A3
Colorful Mono, Stereo Colorsound® Wah-fuzz
Autofilter Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original
Conductor Mono, Stereo Maestro® Boomerang
Asheville Pattrn Mono, Stereo Moog® Moogerfooger® MF-105M MuRF Filter

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.
†
 These indicated Pitch/Synth models utilize polyphonic pitch shifting and, therefore, are extremely DSP-intensive. Each one might take up half of all DSP available for Path 1 or Path 2!
‡
 The 3 Note Generator and 4 OSC Generator models make sound without any instrument connected, therefore, their blocks are turned off by default. Be sure to first set your Helix volume to low, and press
BYPASS to turn them on.

31
 Volume/Pan Models Parameter Description

Model Subcategories Based On* Decay Sets the length of time the reverb effect sustains.

Volume Pedal Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original Predelay Determines the time before the reverb effect is heard.
Gain Mono, Stereo Line 6 Original On stereo delays, the Scale offers control over the left & right channel
repeats proportionately. The left channel repeats following the Time
Pan Stereo Line 6 Original value, and the right channel repeats at a time that is the percentage of
Scale
Stereo Width Stereo Line 6 Original the left time. For example, if a delay’s Time is set for 1 second and the
Scale set to 75%, the left channel will repeat at 1 second and the right
Stereo Imager Stereo Line 6 Original at 750 milliseconds (ms).
Spread differs slightly among stereo delay effects. For most delays,
Common FX Settings it adjusts how widely the repeats bounce left and right. For example,
with the Ping Pong Delay, 0 is in the middle (mono), and 10 is full left
Parameter Description to right panning for the repeats.
Spread
Drive Adjusts the amount of overdrive, distortion, or fuzz. For modulated stereo delays, Spread affects the LFOs’ (low frequency
oscillators) stereo modulation behavior. At 0, the LFOs are in sync. At
Bass Adjusts the bass level. 10, the two LFOs are 180 degrees out of sync, so that when one side
is modulating up, the other side is modulating down.
Mid Adjusts the midrange level.
Some mod and delay pedals’ internal signal paths exhibit a bit of grit,
Treble Adjusts the treble level. especially when placed after a high-gain amp block. Negative values
Headroom
Adjusts the speed of the effect, with higher settings providing faster increase the perceived amount of grit; positive values clean things up
rates. Press the knob to toggle between Hz and note values. a bit. At 0dB, the model behaves like the original pedal.
Choosing a Hz value provides a specific modulation speed in cycles Low Cut
per second; choosing a note value provides a time based on the Filters a portion of the block’s bass and/or treble frequencies, which
Speed High Cut can help remove rumble and/or high-end harshness.
current tempo. Not all Speed parameters can be synced to note
values, as they may be non-linear and highly interactive. (Note that
stepping on TAP once resets any LFO-based effects, such as tremolos Blends the effected “wet” signal vs. the “dry” signal passed through
and rotary speakers.) the block. When set to 0%, the path bypasses the effect completely.
Mix
When set to 100%, the entire path is fed through the effect, and no
Adjusts the rate of the effect, with higher settings providing faster dry thru signal is heard.
rates. Press the knob to toggle between numeric and note values.
Rate Not all Rate parameters can be synced to note values, as they may Adjusts the overall output level of the effects block. Be careful not to
be non-linear and highly interactive. (Note that stepping on TAP once boost this parameter too high on multiple blocks, as digital clipping
resets any LFO-based effects, such as tremolos and rotary speakers.) could occur (also see “Block Level Indicators and Meters”). You
Level
should typically leave this at 0.0dB for most blocks. Where the original
Adjusts the delay/repeat time, with higher settings providing longer pedal’s level or volume knob behavior doesn’t really apply to dB
delays. Press the knob to toggle between ms and note values. values, 0.0-10 may be used.
Choosing a ms value provides a specific time in milliseconds;
Time Trails Off: Any delay repeats or reverb decays are instantly muted
choosing a Note Division value provides a time based on the current
tempo. With a note division value, this parameter’s value is retained when the block is bypassed. Trails On: Any delay repeats or reverb
Trails
when changing models. decays continue to decay naturally when the block is bypassed, or a
different snapshot is selected.
Adjusts the intensity of the modulation. Higher settings result in more
Depth
extreme pitch bending, wobble, or throb, depending on the effect.
Adjusts the amount of delayed signal fed back into the effect. Higher
Feedback
settings can provide more dramatic textures.

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.

32
Amp+Cab Amp Models
Amp+Cab blocks are convenient in that when you select an Amp model, its matching Model Subcategory Based On*
Cab model is automatically loaded. Grammatico Nrm Guitar Grammatico® LaGrange (normal channel)
Grammatico Brt Guitar Grammatico® LaGrange (bright channel)
Grammatico Jump Guitar Grammatico® LaGrange (jumped channels)
To change the amp model in an Amp+Cab block, press <PAGE US Small Tweed Guitar Fender® Champ®
until the amp icon is white and turn the joystick. To change the US Princess Guitar Fender® Princeton Reverb®
cab model, press PAGE> until the cab icon is white and turn the
US Deluxe Nrm Guitar Fender® Deluxe Reverb® (normal channel)
joystick.
US Deluxe Vib Guitar Fender® Deluxe Reverb® (vibrato channel)
US Double Nrm Guitar Fender® Twin Reverb® (normal channel)
US Double Vib Guitar Fender® Twin Reverb® (vibrato channel)
The first page of Amp+Cab parameters is called the tonestack, and represents the
knobs you would see on the real amp’s panel: Mail Order Twin Guitar Silvertone® 1484
Divided Duo Guitar ÷13 JRT 9/15
Amp+Cab Stone Age 185
3.4 2.5 5.0 3.4 2.5 10 Interstate Zed Guitar Dr Z® Route 66
Drive Bass Mid Treble Presence Ch Vol Derailed Ingrid Guitar Trainwreck® Circuits Express
Jazz Rivet 120 Guitar Roland® JC-120 Jazz Chorus
SHORTCUT: Press to quickly select the Amp+Cab, Amp, or Preamp block
Essex A15 Guitar Vox® AC-15
and access its tonestack parameters (Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, etc.). If a preset
has more than one of these blocks, press repeatedly to cycle through all Essex A30 Guitar Vox® AC-30 with top boost
tonestacks.
A30 Fawn Nrm Guitar Vox® AC-30 Fawn (normal channel)

Amp Models A30 Fawn Brt Guitar Vox® AC-30 Fawn (bright channel)

Model Subcategory Based On* Matchstick Ch1 Guitar Matchless® DC30 (channel 1)

WhoWatt 100 Guitar Hiwatt® DR-103 Brill Matchstick Ch2 Guitar Matchless® DC30 (channel 2)

Soup Pro Guitar Supro® S6616 Matchstick Jump Guitar Matchless® DC30 (jumped)

Stone Age 185 Guitar Gibson® EH-185 Mandarin 80 Guitar Orange® OR80

Voltage Queen Guitar Victoria Vintage Queen Brit J45 Nrm Guitar Marshall® JTM-45 (normal channel)

Tweed Blues Nrm Guitar Fender® Bassman® (normal channel) Brit J45 Brt Guitar Marshall® JTM-45 (bright channel)

Tweed Blues Brt Guitar Fender® Bassman® (bright channel) Brit Trem Nrm Guitar Marshall® JTM-50 (normal channel)

Fullerton Nrm Guitar Fender® 5C3 Tweed Deluxe (normal channel) Brit Trem Brt Guitar Marshall® JTM-50 (bright channel)

Fullerton Brt Guitar Fender® 5C3 Tweed Deluxe (bright channel) Brit Trem Jump Guitar Marshall® JTM-50 (jumped)

Fullerton Jump Guitar Fender® 5C3 Tweed Deluxe (jumped channels) Brit Plexi Nrm Guitar Marshall® Super Lead 100 (normal channel)

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.

33
 Amp Models Amp Models
Model Subcategory Based On* Model Subcategory Based On*
Brit Plexi Brt Guitar Marshall Super Lead 100 (bright channel)
®
Line 6 Elektrik Guitar Line 6 Original
Brit Plexi Jump Guitar Marshall Super Lead 100 (jumped)
®
Line 6 Doom Guitar Line 6 Original
Brit P75 Nrm Guitar Park 75 (normal channel)
®
Line 6 Epic Guitar Line 6 Original
Brit P75 Brt Guitar Park 75 (bright channel)
®
Line 6 2204 Mod Guitar Line 6 Original
Brit 2204 Guitar Marshall JCM-800
®
Line 6 Fatality Guitar Line 6 Original
Placater Clean Guitar Friedman BE-100 (clean channel) Line 6 Litigator Guitar Line 6 Original
Placater Dirty Guitar Friedman BE-100 (BE/HBE channel) Line 6 Badonk Guitar Line 6 Original
Cartographer Guitar Ben Adrian Cartographer Ampeg B-15NF Bass Ampeg® B-15NF Portaflex®
German Mahadeva Guitar Bogner® Shiva Ampeg SVT Nrm Bass Ampeg® SVT® (normal channel)
German Ubersonic Guitar Bogner® Überschall® Ampeg SVT Brt Bass Ampeg® SVT® (bright channel)
Cali Texas Ch1 Guitar MESA/Boogie® Lone Star (clean channel) Ampeg SVT-4 PRO Bass Ampeg® SVT®--4 PRO
Cali Texas Ch2 Guitar MESA/Boogie® Lone Star (drive channel) Woody Blue Bass Acoustic® 360
Cali IV Rhythm 1 Guitar MESA/Boogie® Mark IV (channel I) Agua 51 Bass Aguilar® DB51
Cali IV Rhythm 2 Guitar MESA/Boogie® Mark IV (channel II) Cali Bass Bass MESA/Boogie® M9 Carbine
Cali IV Lead Guitar MESA/Boogie® Mark IV (lead channel) Cali 400 Ch1 Bass MESA/Boogie® Bass 400+ (channel 1)
Cali Rectifire Guitar MESA/Boogie® Dual Rectifier® Cali 400 Ch2 Bass MESA/Boogie® Bass 400+ (channel 2)
Archetype Clean Guitar Paul Reed Smith® Archon® (clean channel) G Cougar 800 Bass Gallien-Krueger® GK 800RB
Archetype Lead Guitar Paul Reed Smith® Archon® (lead channel) Del Sol 300 Bass Sunn® Coliseum 300
ANGL Meteor Guitar ENGL® Fireball 100 Busy One Ch1 Bass Pearce BC-1 preamp (channel 1)
Solo Lead Clean Guitar Soldano SLO-100 (clean channel) Busy One Ch2 Bass Pearce BC-1 preamp (channel 2)
Solo Lead Crunch Guitar Soldano SLO-100 (crunch channel) Busy One Jump Bass Pearce BC-1 preamp (jumped)
Solo Lead OD Guitar Soldano SLO-100 (overdrive channel) Studio Tube Pre Preamp > Mic Requisite Y7 mic preamp
PV Panama Guitar Peavey 5150
® ®

Revv Gen Purple Guitar Revv® Generator 120 (purple/gain ch. 3)

Revv Gen Red Guitar Revv® Generator 120 (red/high gain ch. 4)
Das Benzin Mega Guitar Diezel VH4 (mega chanel)
Das Benzin Lead Guitar Diezel VH4 (lead chanel)

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.

34
Tonestack and deeper amp parameters found on subsequent pages may differ
depending on the amp model selected. Cab
There are two subcategories of Cab blocks—Single and Dual. Not surprisingly, dual
Common Amp Settings Cabs take twice as much DSP as single Cabs.

Parameter Description
Adjusts the amount of power amp distortion. This parameter is highly
Master interactive with all other power amp parameters—the lower the Master
is set, the less effect the other controls will have. To change the first cab model in a Cab > Dual block, press <PAGE
Lower Sag values offer “tighter” responsiveness for metal and djent until the left cab icon is white and turn the joystick. To change the
Sag playing; higher values provide more touch dynamics & sustain for second cab, press PAGE> until the right cab icon is white and turn
blues and classic rock riffs. the joystick.
Hum Controls how much heater hum and AC ripple interacts with your tone.
Ripple At higher settings, things get freaky.

Changes the Bias of the power tubes. Lower values achieve a “colder”
Bias
Class AB biasing. At maximum, the amp is operating in Class A. Cab Models
Determines how the power amp tubes’ voicing reacts when pushed
Model Subcategories Based On*
Bias X hard. Set low for a tighter feel. Set high for more tube compression.
This parameter is highly reactive with the Drive and Master settings. Soup Pro Ellipse Single, Dual 1 x 6x9" Supro® S6616
1x8 Small Tweed Single, Dual 1x8" Fender® Champ
1x10 US Princess Single, Dual 1x10" Fender® Princeton Reverb®
Amp 1x12 Field Coil Single, Dual 1x12" Gibson® EH185
Amp blocks are identical to Amp+Cab blocks, except they contain no matched cab 1x12 Fullerton Single, Dual 1x12" Fender® 5C3 Tweed Deluxe
model.
1x12 Grammatico Single, Dual 1x12" Grammatico® LaGrange
1x12 US Deluxe Single, Dual 1x12" Fender® Deluxe Oxford
1x12 US Princess Single, Dual 1x12" Fender® Princeton Reverb®
1x12 Celest 12H Single, Dual 1x12" ÷13 JRT 9/15 G12 H30
Preamp 1x12 Blue Bell Single, Dual 1x12" Vox® AC-15 Blue
We’ve also included a complete set of Preamp versions of each Amp model, which 1x12 Lead 80 Single, Dual 1x12" Bogner® Shiva CL80
provide the tone of just the preamp stage of the amp—recommended when feeding
1x12 Cali IV Single, Dual 1x12" MESA/Boogie® Mk IV
Helix into an external amplifier (either via 1/4" to your traditional amp or via L6 LINK to
a Line 6 Powercab Plus, DT25, or DT50). 1x12 Cali Ext Single, Dual 1x12" MESA/Boogie® EVM12L
2x12 Double C12N Single, Dual 2x12" Fender® Twin C12N
2x12 Mail C12Q Single, Dual 2x12" Silvertone® 1484
Preamp blocks require less DSP than a full Amp block. 2x12 Interstate Single, Dual 2x12" Dr Z® Z Best V30
2x12 Jazz Rivet Single, Dual 2x12" Roland® JC-120
2x12 Silver Bell Single, Dual 2x12" Vox® AC-30TB Silver

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.

35
Cab Models Mic Models
Model Subcategories Based On* Model Based On*
2x12 Blue Bell Single, Dual 2x12" Vox AC-30 Fawn Blue
®
57 Dynamic Shure® SM57
2x12 Match H30 Single, Dual 1x12" Matchless® DC-30 G12H30 409 Dynamic Sennheiser® MD 409
2x12 Match G25 Single, Dual 1x12" Matchless® DC-30 Greenback 25 421 Dynamic Sennheiser® MD 421-U
4x10 Tweed P10R Single, Dual 4x10" Fender® Bassman® P10R 30 Dynamic Heil Sound® PR 30
4x12 WhoWatt 100 Single, Dual 4x12" Hiwatt AP Fane
® ®
20 Dynamic Electro-Voice® RE20
4x12 Mandarin EM Single, Dual 4x12" Orange Eminence
®
121 Ribbon Royer® R-121
4x12 Greenback25 Single, Dual 4x12” Marshall Basketweave G12 M25
®
160 Ribbon Beyerdynamic® M 160
4x12 Greenback20 Single, Dual 4x12" Marshall Basketweave G12 M20
®
4038 Ribbon Coles 4038
4x12 Blackback30 Single, Dual 4x12” Park® 75 G12 H30
414 Cond AKG® C414 TLII
4x12 1960 T75 Single, Dual 4x12" Marshall® 1960 AT75
84 Cond Neumann® KM84
4x12 Uber V30 Single, Dual 4x12" Bogner® Uberkab V30
67 Cond Neumann® U67
4x12 Uber T75 Single, Dual 4x12" Bogner® Uberkab T75
87 Cond Neumann® U87
4x12 Cali V30 Single, Dual 4x12" MESA/Boogie® 4FB V30
47 Cond Neumann® U47
4x12 XXL V30 Single, Dual 4x12" ENGL® XXL V30
112 Dynamic AKG® D112
4x12 SoloLead EM Single, Dual 4x12" Soldano
12 Dynamic AKG® D12
1x12 Del Sol Single, Dual 1x12" Sunn® Coliseum
7 Dynamic Shure® SM7
1x15 Ampeg B-15 Single, Dual 1x15" Ampeg® B-15
1x18 Del Sol Single, Dual 1x18" Sunn® Coliseum
1x18 Woody Blue Single, Dual 1x18" Acoustic® 360
Cab Settings
2x15 Brute Single, Dual 2x15" MESA/Boogie® 2x15 EV Knob Parameter Description

4x10 Ampeg HLF Single, Dual 4x10" Ampeg® SVT® 410HLF 1 Mic Selects one of the 16 available mic models.
6x10 Cali Power Single, Dual 6x10" MESA/Boogie Power House
® Sets the distance (1 inch to 12 inches) between the mic and
2 Distance
the speaker grille.
8x10 Ampeg SVT E Single, Dual 8x10" Ampeg SVT® ®

3 Low Cut Filters a portion of the cab’s bass and/or treble frequencies,
4 High Cut which can help remove rumble and/or high-end harshness.

Sets the amount of “early reflections.” Higher values add more

5 EarlyReflc
reflective room sound to your Amp tone.
6 Level Adjusts the overall output level of the Cab.

*See “U.S. Registered Trademarks” on page 43. All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated
with them. These trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.

36
Impulse Response (IR) Loading an IR in an IR Block
Once you’ve imported IR files into Helix (see the previous section), you can then put
Impulse Responses are mathematical functions representing the sonic measurements them to use by adding one or more IR blocks into your tone. It is recommended to use
of specific audio systems (for Helix, speaker cabinet, and microphone combinations). an Amp block preceding an IR block (rather than an Amp+Cab type block).
Helix can load and store up to 128 custom or third-party IRs at a time.
1. Move the joystick knob to select an empty block location just
to the right of your Amp block on the signal path.
2. Push the joystick knob and turn it to select the Impulse
TIP: You can get a free pack of IRs right now, available at line6.com/allure, or Response category.
check out the ever-growing number of custom Helix presets and IR bundles on
Line 6 Marketplace. 3. Push the joystick knob to select Mono, and push again to
select 1024-sample IR.
IR Formats NOTE: You may optionally choose the higher fidelity 2048-sample IR (there
For all Helix family devices, as well as Helix Native plugin, the following IR file types is a max. limit of one 2048-sample IR block per Path, or two 1024-sample
are supported. IR blocks per path).
• Helix Impulse Response (.hir) - This is the proprietary Line 6 IR file format. 4. Turn Knob 1 (IR Select) to choose the IR index (1~128) to utilize
All IRs purchased through the Line 6 Marketplace are of this file type—see the preferred IR file within your IR library.
“Marketplace” on page 2.
Use Knobs 2~5 to fine tune the IR settings to taste—see below.
• WAV (.wav) - Most IR producers and vendors typically offer IRs in the .wav
format. It is possible to import a mono or stereo .wav file IR, regardless of its TIP: Optionally, you can create a Snapshot assignment (see “Using
bit depth, length, or sample rate frequency. Upon import, IR .wav files are Snapshots” on page 46) on the IR Select parameter, which then allows
automatically converted to a 48kHz sample rate, 32-bit, mono, and 2,048 you to change between different IRs within the block per snapshot!
sample length for Helix. You can use the HX Edit app’s Preferences to set
the preferred behavior for importing Stereo WAV IRs (import the left or right
channel data of the file, or a mix of both). Impulse Response Settings
Knob Parameter Description
Loading IRs into Helix
Selects one of the 128 available IR locations. If a location
Loading Impulse Response files into Helix requires connecting to the HX Edit 1 IR Select contains an IR, the inspector header displays its name;
application in your Mac or Windows computer. The HX Edit application is available as otherwise, it reads “<EMPTY>.”
a free download from line6.com/software.
2 Low Cut Filters a portion of the IR’s bass and/or treble frequencies,
1. Connect Helix to your computer via USB and open the HX Edit 3 High Cut which can help remove rumble and/or high-end harshness.
application.
Blends the IR signal with the dry signal passed through the IR
2. Click the IRs tab. block. When set to 0%, the path bypasses the IR completely.
4 Mix
When set to 100%, the entire path is fed through the IR, and
no dry signal is heard.
5 Level Adjusts the overall output level of the IR block.

3. Drag one or more IR files from the desktop or any Finder

window directly into the HX Edit application’s Impulses list (or
use the HX Edit IR - Import command).
The HX Edit app updates the Helix hardware’s IR list automatically. Helix can load
and store up to 128 IRs at a time.

37
IR File Reference Return Settings
Once an IR block is configured to utilize an IR index slot that includes an imported IR Knob Parameter Description
(.wav or .hir) file, and the preset then saved, the preset creates a “reference signature”
to the imported IR from its file name. Likewise, if you save your IR block as a Favorite 1 Return Adjusts the level received at the Return jack.
(see “Adding a Block to Favorites” on page 17) or set the IR block’s current settings
Blends the Return signal vs. the dry signal passed through the
as the User Model Defaults (see “Saving a Model’s User Default Settings” on page Return block. When set to 0%, the path bypasses the Return
18), the IR bock also creates a reference to the specific IR file within your IR library. 2 Mix
completely. When set to 100%, the entire signal is fed from the
Therefore, if you re-order IRs within the IR library list, your preset (or IR Favorite or User Return, and no dry thru signal is heard.
Model Default block) will still intelligently reference the originally associated IR file,
even if it now resides in a different IR Library index location. This also makes it easy to
share your presets with friends since they can then insert the same IR file in any slot FX Loop Settings
within their Helix IR library, and the preset will find it. Please also refer to the HX Edit
Pilot’s Guide for additional info regarding the use of IRs. Knob Parameter Description
1 Send Adjusts the level sent to your external device.

Send/Return 2 Return Adjusts the level received at the Return jack.

Blends the FX loop signal vs. the dry signal passed through
Each of the Helix four sends and returns can be used independently or used together the FX Loop block. When set to 0%, the path bypasses the
as an FX loop. FX loop completely. When set to 100%, the entire path is fed
3 Mix through the FX loop, and no dry thru signal is heard. (This
means that if you don’t currently have your external gear
connected to the Send & Return jacks, you won’t hear any
output signal unless you bypass the FX Loop block!)
FX loops let you dynamically insert your favorite external stompboxes (or rack effects)
into any location in your tone. Trails Off: An external stompbox would be instantly muted
when the FX Loop block is bypassed. Trails On: An external
4 Trails delay or reverb stompbox would continue to decay naturally
NOTE: Each send and return pair can be set for Instrument (for inserting when the FX Loop block is bypassed, or a different snapshot is
stompboxes) or Line-level operation—see “Global Settings > Ins/Outs”. Send/ selected.
Return blocks also offer clip indicators for level management—see “Block Level
Indicators and Meters” on page 42.

NOTE: Each return can be used only once in a preset. For example, if you add
a Return 1 block (or assign one of the input blocks to Return 1), Return 1/2, FX
Loop 1, and FX Loop 1/2 items will all appear grayed out in the model list, as they
also utilize Return 1.

Send Settings
Knob Parameter Description
1 Send Adjusts the level sent to your external devices.
Adjusts the level of the signal passed through the Send block,
2 Dry Thru independent of the Knob 1 (Send) level. Normally, this should
be set to 0.0dB.

38
Looper Using the 6 Switch Looper
Once assigned, pressing the Stomp mode footswitch for a 6 Switch Looper activates
Helix offers three different Looper types: the 1 Switch, 6 Switch, and Shuffling Looper. its Looper Footswitch mode, where all its functions are conveniently laid out and
Many factory presets already include a Looper block, which is already assigned to a labeled on the Helix footswitches.
Stomp mode footswitch. A Looper block can exist anywhere on either Path 1 or Path
2—one Looper block per preset maximum. 1. Add a 6 Switch Looper block to your preset and assign it to a
footswitch in Stomp mode.
See “Quick Bypass Assign” on page 50.

2. From Stomp mode, press the “6 Switch Looper” footswitch.

Looper Models (Mono & Stereo) Looper mode appears:
Max. Loop Length
Model Based On* BANK ONCE EXIT
Half Speed Full Speed LOOPER

6 Switch Looper (Mono) Line 6 Original 120 seconds 60 seconds

1 Switch Looper (Mono) Line 6 Original 120 seconds 60 seconds
Shuffling Looper (Mono) Line 6 Original n/a 60 seconds BANK 1/2 FULL
SPEED
REV FWD TAP
HOLD FOR TUNER

6 Switch Looper (Stereo) Line 6 Original 60 seconds 30 seconds

1 Switch Looper (Stereo) Line 6 Original 60 seconds 30 seconds
Shuffling Looper (Stereo) Line 6 Original n/a 30 seconds

IMPORTANT! You may change presets while looping, but loop playback Switch Description
will stop unless the preset you select includes the same type of looper block Step on to start recording a loop. Step on to end the loop and
(same 6 Switch, 1 Switch, or Shuffle looper type, and same mono or stereo type). immediately start playback. Step on to overdub additional parts. Step
on again to stop playback.
TIP: The Command Center - HX Looper options allow you to customize your
Stomp Mode footswitches further to easily trigger multiple looper functions for If you make a mistake on your last overdub, step on UNDO to erase it.
the 6 Switch or 1 Switch Loopers—see “Command Center” on page 56.
Step on to play the recorded loop once through.
The 6 Switch or 1 Switch Loopers can also be controlled via external MIDI—see
“MIDI” on page 72. Recording at full speed and then switching to 1/2 speed will also drop
the loop down one octave. Recording at 1/2 speed will double your
Looper Settings (6 Switch & 1 Switch Looper) looping memory, and switching to full speed will cause the loop to play
at double speed (up an octave).
Knob Parameter Description
Step on REV/FWD to hear your loop backward.
Adjusts looper playback level. You may find it useful to turn
1 Playback
this down a bit so your live guitar can be slightly louder.
NOTE: If you press while loop playback is stopped, this will always record a
Relatively sets the level of your loop while overdubbing. For new loop, and any previous recording will be discarded.
example, if your Overdub Level is set to 90%, each time your
2 Overdub While in Looper mode, stepping on BANK or BANK temporarily enters
loop repeats, its volume will be reduced by 10%, sounding
quieter and quieter with each overdub pass. Preset mode. Once you’ve selected a preset, Helix returns to Looper mode.

3 Low Cut Filters a portion of the loop’s bass and/or treble frequencies, 3. To return to the previous mode, press FS6 (EXIT).
4 High Cut which can improve the mix with your live guitar.

39
Using the 1 Switch Looper 4. When done recording your loop, press the switch.
As its name implies, all functions for the 1 Switch Looper are available from its The LED lights green, and the sliced loop sequence immediately plays.
assigned Stomp mode footswitch, described as follows.
5. During playback, adjust the following knobs (or assign them to
1. Add a 1 Switch Looper block to your preset and assign it to a controllers, like expression pedals):
footswitch in Stomp mode. • Slices—Determines the number of slices your loop will be chopped into
See “Quick Bypass Assign” on page 50. • SeqLength—Determines the number of steps in the sequence before it loops
• Shuffle—Determines the likelihood of slices shuffling/reordering
2. Press the 1 Switch Looper switch.
• Octaves—Determines the likelihood of slices playing back an octave higher
The LED lights red, indicating the loop is recording. or lower
3. Press the 1 Switch Looper switch again. • Reverse—Determines the likelihood of slices playing backward
The LED lights green, indicating the loop is playing back. • Repeat—Determines the likelihood of slices repeating
• Smoothing—Higher values apply smoothing between slices and can give a
4. Press the 1 Switch Looper switch again. synth-pad type quality. Lower values maintain transients. Or set it just high
The LED lights amber, indicating the loop is in overdub mode. Subsequent presses enough to avoid pops and clicks
of the switch toggle between play and overdub mode. • Seq Drift—Determines the likelihood of a slice changing after it has played
5. While the Looper is in play or overdub mode, press and hold • Playback—Sets the playback level of the loop sequence
the switch for 1 second. • Low Cut and High Cut—Adjust these to filter some of the bass or treble
frequencies of the loop playback
The most recent recording is undone. Holding the switch again will redo the
recording.
TIP: To only use pitch and reverse effects on your loop, turn Shuffle down
to 0% and set the Slices and SeqLength to the same value.
6. Quickly double-press the 1 Switch Looper switch.
Playback/recording stops, and the LED lights white, indicating a loop is in memory.
6. Want to change it up? While the loop is playing, press the
7. While Looper playback/recording is stopped, press and hold switch to randomize its slice sequence.
the switch for 1 second. 7. Quickly double-press the Looper switch.
The most recent recording is deleted, and the LED lights dim white. Playback/recording stops, and the LED lights white, indicating a loop is in memory.
Press again to restart.
Using the Shuffling Looper
8. While the loop is playing or stopped, press and hold the switch.
Part looper, part sampler, part performance instrument­—the Shuffling Looper chops
up your recorded loop, randomizes the slices, and gives you control over reordering, The recording is deleted, and the LED lights dim white.
octave shifting, reversing, repeating, and more.

1. Add a Shuffling Looper block to your preset and assign it to a

footswitch in Stomp mode.
See “Quick Bypass Assign” on page 50.

2. Turn Knob 1 (Slices) to set the number of slices your loop will
be chopped into.
3. Press the switch to begin recording.
The LED lights red, indicating the loop is recording.

40
Split Split > Dynamic Settings
A Split block appears any time a parallel path is created, but is visible only when Knob Parameter Description
selected. Any signal below the Threshold volume level is routed to Path
1 Threshold
A; any signal above the Threshold is routed to Path B.
Determines how fast the signal is routed to Path B once
2 Attack
reaching the Threshold.
Determines how fast the signal returns to Path A once falling
3 Decay
Helix has four different types of Split blocks: Y, A/B, Crossover, and Dynamic. below the Threshold.
When on, reverses the path assignments (any signal above
Y By default, the signal is fed to Paths A (upper) and B (lower) evenly. The 4 Reverse the Threshold value is sent to Path B, any signal below the
individual Balance (pan) options offer control of the stereo balance sent Threshold value is sent to Path A).
to each path.
A/B The signal can be sent in different amounts to Paths A (upper) and B NOTE: Much like any Effects type block, a Split block can be bypassed, as well
(lower).
as have a bypass assignment created for it. When bypassed, regardless of the
Crossover Treble frequencies are sent to Path A (upper) and bass frequencies are Split type in use, the block sends both left and right signals to both paths equally.
sent to Path B (lower).
Dynamic Similar to a crossover, except the audio content exceeding the audio
Threshold is sent to Path A, and the content below the audio Threshold
is sent to Path B.
Merge
A Merge > Mixer block appears any time a parallel path is created, but is visible only
Split > Y Settings when selected:

Knob Parameter Description

Adjusts the stereo balance (pan) of the signal that is sent to
1 Balance A
Path A (upper).
Adjusts the stereo balance (pan) of the signal that is sent to
2 Balance B
Path B (lower). Knob Parameter Description
1 A Level Adjusts the output level of Path A (upper).
Split > A/B Settings 2 A Pan Adjusts the left/right stereo balance of Path A.
Knob Parameter Description 3 B Level Adjusts the output level of Path B (lower).
Determines the amount of the signal sent to Path A vs. Path B. 4 B Pan Adjusts the left/right stereo balance of Path B.
1 Route To
Press the knob to set to Even Split.
Inverts the polarity of Path B. Typically, this should be set to
5 B Polarity
“Normal.”
Split > Crossover Settings 6 Level Adjusts the overall output level of the Merge block.
Knob Parameter Description
Any signal above this frequency is sent to Path A (upper); any
1 Frequency
signal below this frequency is sent to Path B (lower).
When on, reverses the path assignments (any signal above
2 Reverse the crossover frequency is sent to Path B, any signal below
the crossover frequency is sent to Path A).

41
Block Level Indicators and Meters Gain Reduction Meters
For all Dynamics - Compressor and Input block - Gate type blocks - A meter
Helix includes real-time level indicators and metering for specific block types, which measures the dB amount of gain reduction being applied by the effect, providing a
are very handy for visually checking and optimizing the gain staging throughout your helpful indicator for adjusting your compression and gate parameters. A single gain
tone’s signal flow. reduction meter is displayed for mono and stereo Dynamics models, and a triple meter
is displayed for the 3-Band Comp model (one for each frequency band).
Signal Present and Clip Indicators
For path Input and Output blocks - These blocks are displayed with a green fill to Dynamics Red Squeeze
-42 -35 -28 -21 -14 -7 0

indicate a signal is present, and a red fill if the input is too hot. If clipping is indicated, 5.0 100% +5.0dB
reduce the signal level before and/or at the red indicated Input/Output block.
Sensitivity Mix Level
31B Level Best 1
-90 -75 -60 -45 -30 -15 0
Input Multi (Guitar, Aux, Variax)
Off –48.0dB 500 ms Auto

Input Gate Threshold Decay Guitar In-Z

Signal Present Signal Clipping

For Send/Return - Send, Return, and FX Loop blocks - Whenever the signal level
at any of these block types is too hot, a red fill color is displayed as a clip indicator. If
clipping is indicated, you should reduce the signal level preceding and/or at the red
indicated Send/Return block.

Level Meters
For Output, Send, or FX Loop type blocks - When one of these block types is
selected within the Signal Flow, you’ll see its meter appear within the lower Inspector
portion of the Helix Home screen. The meter measures output level and is displayed
green for normal signal levels. Whenever the signal is too hot, the meter is displayed
red to alert you of clipping. A single meter bar is displayed for mono blocks, and a dual
bar for stereo blocks.

Output Multi (1/4”, XLR, Digital, USB 1/2)

Center 0.0dB

Pan Level

Output Multi (1/4”, XLR, Digital, USB 1/2)

Center 0.0dB

Pan Level

42
U.S. Registered Trademarks
All product names used in this document are trademarks of their respective owners and neither Yamaha Guitar Group nor Line 6 are associated or affiliated with them. These
trademarks appear solely to identify products whose tones and sounds were studied by Line 6 during sound model development.

5150 is a registered trademark of ELVH Inc. Klon is a registered trademark of Klon, LLC.
Acoustic is a registered trademark of GTRC Services, Inc. Korg is a registered trademark of Korg, Inc.
Aguilar is a registered trademark David Boonshoft. Leslie is a registered trademark of Suzuki Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
AKG, DOD and Whammy are registered trademarks of Harman International Industries, Lone Star is a registered trademark of Randall C. Smith.
Inc.
Marshall is a registered trademark of Marshall Amplification Plc.
Arbiter is a registered trademark of Sound City Amplification LLC.
Matchless is a registered trademark of Matchless, LLC.
Ashly is a registered trademark of Ashly Audio, Inc.
MAXON is a registered trademark of Nisshin Onpa Co., Ltd.
Binson, Dytronics, LA-2A and Teletronix are registered trademarks of Universal Audio, Inc.
Mesa/Boogie and Rectifier are registered trademarks of Mesa/Boogie, Ltd.
Beyerdynamic is a registered trademark of Beyer Dynamic GmbH & Co. KG.
Moog and Moogerfooger are registered trademarks of Moog Music, Inc.
Bogner and Überschall are registered trademarks of Bogner Amplification.
Musitronics is a registered trademark of Mark S. Simonsen.
BOSS and Roland are registered trademarks of Roland Corporation U.S.
Mu-Tron is a registered trademark of Henry Zajac.
Carvin is a registered trademark of Kiesel Guitars.
Neumann is a registered trademark of Georg Neumann GmbH.
Colorsound is a registered trademark of Sola Sound Limited Corporation, UK.
Orange is a registered trademark of Orange Brand Services Limited.
Cry Baby, Dunlop, Fuzz Face, MXR and Uni-Vibe are registered trademarks of Dunlop
Manufacturing, Inc. Park is a registered trademark of AMP RX LLC.

Darkglass and Microtubes are registered trademarks of Darkglass Electronics, TMI Paul Reed Smith and Archon are registered trademarks of Paul Reed Smith Guitars, LP.
Douglas Castro. Peavey is a registered trademark of Peavey Electronics Corporation.
Digitech is a registered trademark of DOD Electronics Corporation. Revv is a registered trademark of Revv Amplification Inc.
Dr. Z is a registered trademark of Dr. Z Amps, Inc. RMC is a registered trademark of Richard McClish.
EBS is a registered trademark according of EBS Holding. Royer is a registered trademark of Bulldog Audio, Inc. DBA Rover Labs.
EchoRec is a registered trademark of Nicholas Harris. Sennheiser is a registered trademark of Sennheiser Electronic GmbH & Co. KG.
Electro-Harmonix and Big Muff Pi are registered trademarks of New Sensor Corp. Shure is a registered trademark of Shure Inc.
Electro-Voice is a registered trademark of Bosch Security Systems, Inc. Silvertone is a registered trademark of Samick Music Corporation.
Engl is a registered trademark of Beate Ausflug and Edmund Engl. Supro is a registered trademark of Absara Audio LLC.
Eventide is a registered trademark of Eventide Inc. TC Electronic is a registered trademark of MUSIC Group IP Ltd.
Fane is a trademark of Fane International Ltd. Tech21 is a registered trademark of Tech21 Licensing Ltd.
Fender, Twin Reverb, Bassman, Champ, Deluxe Reverb, Princeton Reverb, and Sunn are Timmy is a registered trademark of Paul Cochrane AKA PAULCAUDIO.
registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
Trainwreck is a registered trademark of of Scott Alan Fischer and Mona Fischer.
Fulltone is a registered trademark of Fulltone Musical Products, Inc.
Tube Screamer is a registered trademark of Hoshino Gakki Co. Ltd.
Gallien-Krueger is a registered trademark of Gallien Technology, Inc.
Tycobrahe is a registered trademark of Kurt Stier.
Gibson and Maestro are registered trademarks of Gibson Guitar Corp.
Vox is a registered trademark of Vox R&D Limited.
Heil Sound is a registered trademark of Heil Sound Ltd.
Way Huge is a registered trademark of Saucy Inc.
Hiwatt is a registered trademark of Simon Giles and Justin Harrison.
Xotic is a registered trademark of Prosound Communications, Inc.
Ibanez is a registered trademark of Hoshino, Inc.

43
Tuner
2. Pluck an individual string on your guitar.
When a box left of the center is lit red or yellow, your string is flat. When a box
right of center is lit red or yellow, your string is sharp. When one of the center
boxes on the lower row is lit green, the top row of smaller bars can be used for
Helix offers three Tuner types, Fine (shown below), Coarse, and Strobe, selectable more precision. When both arrows are illuminated, your string is perfectly in tune.
from Knob 4 of the Tuner Settings—see the following table.
3. To exit the Tuner, step on any footswitch.
1. Hold the TAP footswitch until the Tuner screen appears: All tuner settings are global.

B
TIP: If you have a favorite pedal or rack tuner and wish to use it instead of
Helix’s tuner, connect Send 1, 2, 3, or 4 to your tuner’s input and turn
Knob 2 (Tuner Out) to select that Send. This way, every time you hold
the TAP footswitch, Helix will automatically route the signal to your favorite
tuner.

Tuner
Multi Multi 440 Hz Fine Off

Input Output Reference Type Offsets

Tuner Settings
Page Knob Parameter Description
Determines which input the tuner will listen to. Normally, it’s best to choose “Multi,” which listens to the Guitar, Aux, and Variax inputs
1 Tuner In
simultaneously.
Determines the active output while the Tuner screen is active. If you prefer to hear nothing while tuning, choose “Mute.” Normally, it’s best to
2 Tuner Out
choose “Multi,” which routes the input to 1/4", XLR, Digital, and USB 1/2.
1
3 Reference If you’d like to tune to a reference other than standard 440 Hz, select from 425 to 455 Hz.
Choose between three Tuner types: Fine (color-changing, needle tuner with fine-tuning bar, the default), Coarse (color-changing needle tuner with
4 Type
no fine-tuning bar), or Strobe. The Tuner accurately tunes notes down to 21.83 Hz (low F) for 5-string basses.
6 Offsets Enables the Tuner offsets displayed on Page 2.
1 String 6 Offset
2 String 5 Offset
3 String 4 Offset Some guitarists feel that tuning certain strings slightly sharp or flat in relation to concert tuning can improve intonation. String offsets calibrate the
2 tuner so that these slightly out-of-tune pitches appear as in tune. String 6 is low E, and String 1 is high E. Tuning offsets won’t be applied unless
4 String 3 Offset Knob 6 (Offsets) on Page 1 is turned on.
5 String 2 Offset
6 String 1 Offset

44
Snapshots
Each of the eight snapshots in Helix stores and recalls the state of certain elements in
the current preset, including:
• Block Bypass—The bypass (on/off) state of all processing blocks (except
Looper), independent of any footswitch bypass assignments.
A camera icon appears in the upper right corner of the screen. Its number indicates
the current snapshot. NOTE: The bypass state of blocks is automatically stored and recalled per
snapshot. Optionally, you can exclude a block’s bypass state from being
affected by snapshots—see “Snapshot Block Bypass On/Off” below.
1
• Parameter Control—The values of any parameters assigned to controllers
(up to 64 per preset).
• Command Center—The values of any instant MIDI CC, Bank/Prog, MMC, CV
Out, Qwerty Hotkey, and HX Looper messages, plus the state (dim or lit) of
any CC Toggle, CV Toggle, and Ext Amp messages. See “Command Center”
What are Snapshots? • Tempo—The current system tempo, if “Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo” >
Snapshots are presets within a preset. Tempo Select is set to “Per Snapshot.” (By default, it’s set to “Per Preset”)
Imagine you have eight pet octopuses, all slithering around your amp and pedalboard.
Instead of tap-dancing on your pedals (and accidentally stepping on a tentacle), you Depending on how you set them up, snapshots can act as eight variations of the
shout, “Okay, gang—here’s the verse... now!” and your octopuses switch some pedals same tone, eight drastically different tones, or any combination thereof—all
on, switch other pedals off, and tweak all your amps and pedals’ knobs to make within the same preset. A single preset’s snapshots may accommodate all the
the best possible settings for your song’s verse, all seamlessly with spillover delay various tones required for a song in many cases.
and reverb trails. Then you shout, “Ready for the chorus... now!” and your octopuses
instantly tweak everything for your song’s chorus. That’s the power of snapshots. IMPORTANT! Snapshots make it easy for multiple blocks assigned to the
same footswitch to end up in unexpected states. For example, if FS2 toggles
between Delay (ON) and Reverb (OFF) blocks and a snapshot turns the Reverb
on, FS2 will suddenly turn both blocks on and off together.

Snapshot Block Bypass On/Off

There may be situations where you don’t want snapshots to control a particular block’s
bypass state; that is, you’d prefer to turn it on and off manually. For example, you may
want manual control of a Boost block at any time without worrying whether a particular
snapshot might turn it on or off.

1. Within the Home screen, select a processing block within the

signal flow and press ACTION.
2. Turn Knob 5 (Snapshot Bypass) to set the behavior for the
block.

The only thing your octopuses/snapshots can’t do is rearrange your pedalboard or Use joystick to move block; move down to create Path B
On
swap out an effect or amp for a different one (unless both effect blocks exist in the
Copy Paste Clear Clear All Snapshot Add to
same preset). Block Block Block Blocks Bypass Favorites...

Each preset can have up to 64 parameters assigned to Snapshots; hence, eight

octopuses with eight tentacles each. The octopuses can remember eight separate By default, all blocks are set to “On” to automatically control their bypass states
groups of on/off statuses and setting tweaks per preset; that is, Helix has eight via snapshots. Change to “Off” to disable snapshot control of the selected block’s
snapshots per preset. bypass state.

45
Using Snapshots SHORTCUT: Hold ACTION and press a parameter knob to quickly remove
any controller assignment (including the Snapshots controller). The value
appears in color, indicating no controller is assigned to it.
1. Press BANK and BANK simultaneously to enter Snapshot
footswitch mode. NOTE: You can also manually assign the Snapshots controller. From the
The middle eight switches flash, indicating a snapshot is ready to be selected. The “Controller Assign” page, select the desired block and parameter and
current snapshot’s footswitch lights red, and its camera lens appears inverted. turn Knob 2 (Controller) to select “Snapshot.”

NOTE: Each preset can have up to 64 controller assignments, including

BANK 5 SNAPSHOT 5 6 SNAPSHOT 6 7 SNAPSHOT 7 8 SNAPSHOT 8 CANCEL parameters controlled by Snapshots. If you attempt to add a 65th, “Too
many controller assignments!” appears in the header:

Too many controller assignments!

[1/8] [37%] [D] [Minor] [40%] 0.0 dB

BANK 1 SNAPSHOT 1 2 SNAPSHOT 2 3 SNAPSHOT 3 4 SNAPSHOT 4 TAP

HOLD FOR TUNER
Time Feedback Key Scale Mix Level

In this case, you must clear some controllers to free up assignments. See
“Clearing a Block’s Controller Assignment(s)” or “Clearing All Controller
Assignments”
2. Press one of the eight snapshot switches to select a different
snapshot. 4. Switch back to the snapshot you started with.
NOTE: If you don’t want Snapshot footswitches to disappear after Helix instantly and seamlessly returns to its previous state.
selecting one, set “Global Settings > Footswitches” > Knob 4 (Snapshot
Mode Switches) to “Manual Return.” In this case, Helix stays in Snapshot NOTE: If you’ve changed “Global Settings > Preferences” > Snapshot Edits
footswitch mode until you press FS6 (CANCEL). to “Discard,” you must save the preset before selecting a different snapshot;
otherwise, any edits will be discarded!
Alternatively, press the PRESETS knob and turn Knob 5 (Select Snapshot).

NOTE: If you select a snapshot that hasn’t yet been altered, it appears the
same as the snapshot you came from. As soon as you edit a new snapshot Copying/Pasting a Snapshot
(say, by enabling or bypassing an amp or effect block), the snapshot
becomes “active” and remembers any changes. Instead of creating a new snapshot from scratch, you may want to copy an existing
one to another snapshot location and tweak just a few things. There are two ways to
3. Adjust the preset by doing one or more of the following: do this:
• Turn several blocks on or off by pressing stomp mode footswitches and/or the
BYPASS button Quick Copy/Paste Snapshot from Footswitches
• Push-turn a few knobs to assign their parameters to the Snapshots controller. 1. Press BANK and BANK simultaneously to enter Snapshot
The parameter’s values appear white and in brackets to indicate it is assigned.
footswitch mode.
[50%] 2. While touch-holding the footswitch for the snapshot you
want to copy, briefly touch and release the footswitch for the
Feedback snapshot you want to overwrite.
A dialog panel appears:
• On the Command Center page, adjust the Instant messages’ values or press
a footswitch assigned to CC Toggle, CV Toggle, Ext Amp, Qwerty Hotkey,
or HX Looper. These Command Center-assigned messages are sent when Copy Snapshot 4 to Snapshot 5?
recalling a snapshot—also see “Command Center”
Cancel OK

46
3. Press Knob 6 (OK). Customizing a Snapshot Footswitch Name
NOTE: The “touch” behavior for footswitches can be disabled using the
Stomp Select option in “Global Settings > Footswitches”
and Color
Instead of having to remember the difference between “SNAPSHOT 1” and
Copying/Pasting a Snapshot from the Front Panel “SNAPSHOT 2,” it’s helpful to rename your snapshots something descriptive, such
as “VERSE,” “BIG SOLO,” or “D. IGLOO.” It can also be helpful to customize the
1. Press PRESETS to open the Setlist menu and turn Knob 5 footswitch LED colors.
(Select Snapshot) to select the snapshot you want to copy.
1. Press PRESETS to open the Setlist menu.
2. Press ACTION and then Knob 1 (Copy Snapshot).
Helix returns to the Setlist menu.
2. Press Knob 6 (Rename Snapshot).
The Rename Snapshot screen appears:
3. Turn Knob 5 (Select Snapshot) to choose the snapshot you Rename Snapshot
want to overwrite. P
Q
4. Press ACTION and then Knob 2 (Paste Snapshot). R

A dialog panel appears: SNA P SHO T 1

T
Copy Snapshot 4 to Snapshot 5? U
V

Cancel OK Auto Color

Cancel Delete Insert Remove Switch LED Save

5. Press Knob 6 (OK).
Move the joystick left or right to move the cursor. Snapshot names are limited
to 10 characters.
Swapping Snapshots Turn the joystick (or move it up/down) to change the selected character.
Press Knob 2 (Delete) to delete the selected character and shift all following
1. Touch (but don’t press) the two snapshot switches you want to characters to the left.
swap until the following dialog appears: Press Knob 3 (Insert) to insert a space and shift all following characters to
the right.
Swap Snapshots 1 and 5?
SHORTCUT: Press the joystick to cycle through A, a, 0, and [SPACE].
Cancel OK
Press Knob 4 (Remove) to remove the custom name. Remove is grayed out
2. Press Knob 6 (OK). until a custom name is applied.
3. To optionally change a footswitch’s LED color, turn Knob 5
(Switch LED) to select the desired color. The default “Auto
Color” setting is red.

Auto Color

Cancel Delete Insert Remove Switch LED Save

4. Press Knob 6 (Save).

Snapshot names and LED colors are only retained if you save the preset.

47
Saving Snapshots The camera icon on the home screen shows you the Snapshot Edits setting at a
glance—When set to “Recall,” the camera is gray; when set to “Discard,” the camera
is red.
Press SAVE twice to save the preset.
Saving a preset stores all of its 8 snapshots automatically.
1 1
NOTE: Selecting a preset recalls the Snapshot that was active when the preset
was saved.
SHORTCUT: At any time, hold BYPASS and press SAVE to toggle this setting.

Determining Snapshot Edit Behavior Snapshot Reselect

Say you’re on Snapshot 2 (VERSE), and you change a few things—switch a delay
This additional “Global Settings > Preferences” > Snapshot Reselect parameter adds
block on, switch a mod block off, tweak an Amp’s Gain parameter from your Variax
even more flexibility to the Snapshot footswitches. For example, say you’re playing
Tone knob, etc. If you switch to Snapshot 4 (CHORUS) and then back to Snapshot 2
along on Snapshot 2 (VERSE), then you press the Snapshot 4 (CHORUS) to load it.
for the second verse, should Helix recall those changes or return Snapshot 2 to its
What should happen if you press the Snapshot 4 footswitch again? With Snapshot
state when the preset was last saved? There’s no right answer, and Helix lets you
Reselect set to the default “Reload,” Snapshot 4 is simply reloaded again. But when
choose.
set to “Toggle,” it will now load the previously loaded snapshot (Snapshot 2, in this
example)—and successive presses of the Snapshot 4 footswitch then continues to
1. Press and then Knob 6 (Global Settings). toggle between Snapshot 2 and Snapshot 4.
2. Move the joystick to select the Preferences submenu.
Global Settings
Arranging Preset, Snapshot, and Stomp
Firmware Version 3.00.0

Ins/Outs Preferences MIDI/Tempo Switches

1. Press and then Knob 6 (Global Settings).
2. Move the joystick to select the Footswitches submenu.
Footswitches EXP Pedals Displays

Preferences Global Settings Firmware Version 3.00.0

Recall Authentic 01A-32D Reload Model Off
Snapshot Tap Tempo Preset Snapshot Joystick Preset
Edits Pitch Numbering Reselect Encoder Spillover

Ins/Outs Preferences MIDI/Tempo

3. Turn Knob 1 (Snapshot Edits) to set snapshot edit behavior:

• Recall—Any snapshot edits are recalled when jumping from snapshot to
Footswitches EXP Pedals Displays
snapshot and appear as you last left them (the default)
• Discard—Any snapshot edits are discarded when jumping from snapshot Footswitches
to snapshot and appear as the preset was last saved. If you want to save Touch 8 Presets 8 Switches Auto Return Banks Off
changes made to a snapshot while Snapshot Edits is set to “Discard,” press Stomp Select Preset Mode Stomp Mode Snapshot Mode Up/Down Swap
SAVE twice before selecting another snapshot Switches Switches Switches Switches Up/Down

48
3. Turn Knob 2 (Preset Mode Switches) to customize the middle Tips for Creative Snapshot Use
eight switches: • The obvious use case for snapshots is designating them to specific sections
• 8 Presets—Two banks of presets (the default) of your song. For example, Snapshot 1 would be the Intro, Snapshot 2 would
• Preset/Stomp—One bank of presets on the top row, switches from stomp be Verse 1, Snapshot 3 might be the Chorus, and so on
mode on the bottom row • Turn any Delay, Reverb, and/or FX Loops blocks’ Trails parameter to “On” for
• Stomp/Preset—Switches from stomp mode on the top row, one bank of seamless spillover between snapshots
presets on the bottom row • “SNAPSHOT (X)” on the scribble strip isn’t very descriptive. Don’t forget to
• Preset/Snap—One bank of presets on the top row, Snapshots 1-4 on the name your snapshots—See “Customizing a Snapshot Footswitch Name and
bottom row Color”
• Snap/Preset—Snapshots 1-4 on the top row, one bank of presets on the • Worried that further tweaking might make your tone worse, not better?
bottom row Snapshots are a great way to compare minor changes between tones without
having to take your hands off the guitar.
• Snap/Stomp—Snapshots 1-4 on the top row, switches from stomp mode on
the bottom row (see image below) • Want to switch channels on your external amp but don’t want to waste a
stomp footswitch on it? Command Center MIDI, CV, and Ext Amp Instant
SNAPSHOT 1 SNAPSHOT 1 2 SNAPSHOT 2 3 SNAPSHOT 3 4 SNAPSHOT 4 CANCEL messages are automatically transmitted when a Snapshot is recalled.
• Set different keys in Harmony Delay blocks or intervals in Pitch blocks per
snapshot
• Set different Variax models (or tuning!) per snapshot

TAP • Having difficulty maintaining consistent volume throughout a song? Set the
SNAPSHOT Teemah! Dual Pitch Tremolo/Autopan Start Reaper
HOLD FOR TUNER
Output block’s Level parameter per snapshot
• In a preset that includes a Looper block, open Command Center, and configure
an Instant command with the HX Looper - Play message assigned for
• Stomp/Snap—Switches from stomp mode on the top row, Snapshots 1-4 on Snapshot 7 and with the HX Looper - Stop message assigned for Snapshot
the bottom row 8. Now record a loop, and you can toggle between Snapshot 7 and 8 to play
and stop your loop (along with any other actions you might additionally set to
• 8 Snapshots—Snapshots 1-8 happen on these two snapshots)

4. Turn Knob 5 (Up/Down Switches) to customize FS1 and FS7 on

the far left.
Select Banks (Bank Queue), Presets, or Snapshots (see image above).

SHORTCUT: At any time, press and hold both FS1 and FS7 to cycle through
BANK / , PRESET / , and SNAPSHOT / .

5. Turn Knob 6 (Swap Up/Down) to On to invert the FS1 and FS7

behaviors.
When set to On, FS7 selects the next snapshot (up), and FS1 the previous
snapshot (down).

SHORTCUT: Touch (don’t press) hold both FS1 and FS7 for two seconds to
swap their / behaviors.

49
Bypass Assign Manual Bypass Assign
A Stomp mode footswitch is the most obvious method for turning blocks on and
off, But Helix can also engage or bypass a block automatically when moving an
expression pedal or the Volume or Tone knob on a Variax guitar. For example, moving
EXP 1 forward past the heel down position can enable a Wah or Poly Wham block, and
Quick Bypass Assign returning EXP 1 to the heel position will bypass it again.

1. Press to open the Menu.

1. From the Home screen, use the joystick to select the block you
wish to assign to a footswitch. 2. Press Knob 1 (Bypass Assign).
Input, Output, and Merge blocks cannot be assigned to footswitches. Any Split The Bypass Assign screen looks very similar to the Home screen:
block type can be assigned to a footswitch; when bypassed, the signal is split and
routed equally to both Path A (upper) and Path B (lower). Bypass Assign 1

2. Step on FS6 (MODE) to select Stomp mode (if not already

there).
3. Touch and hold (but don’t press) the desired footswitch until
the following dialog appears:
Assign footswitch to bypass selected block? Delay Harmony Delay
Merge Latching
None Off
Cancel Assign Type Customize OK Switch MIDI In Learn

If you want to replace any other blocks that may already be assigned to the
footswitch, turn Knob 3 (Assign) to “Replace.” Otherwise, leave it set to “Merge,” 3. Move the joystick to select the block you want to bypass.
which allows for multiple blocks to be assigned to the same switch. Input, Output, and Merge blocks cannot be bypassed or bypass assigned. Any
If you want to change the way the switch behaves, turn Knob 4 (Type) to Processing or Split block type can be bypassed or bypass assigned; when a Split
“Momentary” or “Latching.” block is bypassed, the signal is split and routed equally to both Path A (upper)
and Path B (lower).
Momentary The block is bypassed (or enabled, if already bypassed) for as long 4. Turn Knob 1 (Switch) to select the desired footswitch,
as you hold the switch.
expression pedal, or Variax knob. (Optionally, you can also use
Latching The block is bypassed (or enabled, if already bypassed) every time Knob 4 to control the block’s bypass via MIDI—see step 5.)
you press the switch. This is the default.
None Removes the bypass assignment.
4. Press Knob 6 (OK).
Footswitch Stepping on the Stomp mode footswitch turns the block on and
NOTE: This “touch” behavior for footswitches can be disabled using the Stomp 2~11 off.
Select option in “Global Settings > Footswitches” Selecting Footswitch 2-5 or 8-11 displays Knob 2 (Type). Turn knob
2 to select “Momentary” or “Latching.” When set to Momentary,
the block is bypassed (or enabled, if already bypassed) for as
long as you hold the switch. When set to Latching, the block is
bypassed (or enabled, if already bypassed) every time you press
the switch.
NOTE: Footswitch type (momentary or latching) is determined per
footswitch, not per assignment.

50
 EXP Toe You can also choose to assign a block’s bypass to the onboard 5. If desired, turn Knob 4 (MIDI In) to assign an incoming MIDI CC
pedal’s Toe Switch; however, its behavior is always “Latching.” message to turn the block on and off.
NOTE: Adding a Volume Pedal, Pan, Wah, Pitch Wham, or Poly Incoming CC values 0-63 turn the block off; values 64-127 turn the block on. Note
Wham block automatically assigns it to “EXP Toe.” that some MIDI CCs are reserved for global functions and cannot be selected—
see “MIDI” on page 72.
EXP Pedal Moving the expression pedal automatically enables (or bypasses)
1, 2, or 3 the block. SHORTCUT: Alternatively, press Knob 6 (Learn) and then send Helix a
Selecting EXP Pedal 1, 2, or 3 displays Knob 2 (Position) and MIDI CC message. The incoming message is automatically selected. See
Knob 3 (Wait). Position determines the point within the expression “Controller Assign” for more info.
pedal’s travel where the block is enabled or bypassed. 0% is heel
down; 99% is toe down. Wait determines how long Helix waits
before bypassing the block; for example, you wouldn’t want the Clearing Bypass Assignment(s)
wah to turn off every time you touched the heel down position in While in the Bypass Assign screen, press ACTION and then press Knob 1 to clear the
your big funk wah solo. currently selected block’s assignment(s). Or, press Knob 2 to clear all the assignments
from all blocks within the preset.
Variax Vol, Moving the Variax Volume or Tone knob automatically enables (or
Variax Tone bypasses) the block. Delay Harmony Delay
Selecting Variax Vol or Variax Tone displays Knob 2 (Position)
and Knob 3 (Wait). Position determines where in the knob’s Clear Clear All
Assignment Assignments
travel the block is enabled or bypassed. 0% is all the way down
(counterclockwise), 99% is all the way up (clockwise). Wait
determines how long Helix waits before bypassing the block.

NOTE: Footswitch 1 and 7 can be assigned at any time, but they only appear
if the Stomp Mode Switches option is set to “10 switches” (see “Global
Settings > Footswitches”). Otherwise, FS1 and FS7 appear as BANK and
BANK .

NOTE: Each footswitch can have up to 8 assignments. If you attempt to add

a ninth, a warning appears in the header:
Can’t assign any more blocks to this footswitch!
FS2 Latching Off

Switch Type MIDI In Customize Learn

TIP: To reverse bypass behavior, press BYPASS. In such a case, the block
will be bypassed when moving the expression pedal or Variax knob past the
Position location. Since multiple blocks can be assigned to an expression
pedal, moving the pedal can turn some blocks on and others off at different
positions in the pedal’s travel.

51
Customizing a Footswitch Label Swapping Footswitches
1. From the Bypass Assign screen, use the joystick to select a If you want to change the location of Stomp mode footswitches (especially those
with multiple items assigned or custom labels and LED ring colors), instead of
block whose bypass is assigned to a footswitch and press manually reassigning everything, you can quickly swap all assignments between two
Knob 5 (Customize). footswitches.
The Customize screen appears:
1. Touch (but don’t press) any two Stomp mode footswitches
Customize
16B Dream Rig+Vocals until the following dialog appears:
K
L Swap all assignments between footswitches 2 and 8?
M
T o g g l e D e l a y / V e r b Cancel OK
O
P 2. Press Knob 6 (OK).
Q
NOTE: This “touch” behavior for footswitches can be disabled using the Stomp
Auto Color Select option in “Global Settings > Footswitches”
Cancel Delete Insert Remove Switch LED Save
Tips for Creative Bypass Assignment
Move the joystick left or right to move the cursor.
• If you assign a footswitch to more than one block or other item, “MULTIPLE
Turn the joystick (or move it up/down) to change the selected character. (X)” isn’t very descriptive. Don’t forget to custom label it - See “Customizing a
Press Knob 2 (Delete) to delete the selected character and shift all following Footswitch Label”
characters to the left. • If you find yourself constantly toggling one switch off and another on, assign
Press Knob 3 (Insert) to insert a space and shift all following characters to both blocks to the same footswitch, and while one is selected, press BYPASS.
the right. Now pressing the footswitch will toggle one off and the other on simultaneously.
A footswitch can have up to simultaneous eight blocks assigned.
SHORTCUT: Press the joystick to cycle through A, a, 0, and [SPACE]. • Assign a Wah block to be engaged only when moving an expression pedal
past 1%. Set the Wait time long enough so that natural foot movements don’t
turn the wah off every time you reach the heel-down position.
Press Knob 4 (Remove) to remove the custom label, after which the
footswitch label displays its normal assignment. Remove is grayed out until a • Different blocks can be enabled or bypassed at different locations of an
custom name is applied. expression pedal or Variax knob’s travel. Experiment with turning on multiple
overdrive blocks—one at Position 5%, another at Position 30%, another at
2. To customize the footswitch’s LED color, turn Knob 5 (Switch Position 70%, and so on.
LED) to select the desired color (or turn it off). • When using a footswitch to toggle between two Amp or Amp+Cab blocks,
Normally, you should leave this set to “Auto Color. the amp models may sound notably different from one another (just like real
amps!). Use an EQ block to make one Amp block sound a bit closer to the
3. Press Knob 6 (OK). other Amp block and assign its bypass to the same footswitch.
SHORTCUT: Once an item has been assigned to a footswitch, touch and • Assign a delay block with very high feedback to be turned on only when
hold (but don’t press) the footswitch, and a duplicate Customize button reaching the toe position of an expression pedal (or fully clockwise Variax
appears above Knob 5. knob). Squeals galore.

NOTE: Footswitches can also be customized from the “Command Center”

screen (or HX Edit application!).

52
Controller Assign Quick Controller Assign
1. From the Home screen, press and hold the knob for the
parameter you wish to control.
Helix provides a wide variety of tools for controlling your tone during a performance.
The most obvious one is the built-in expression pedal (often assigned to wah or Helix jumps to the Controller Assign page and displays your parameter above
volume). But you may also assign footswitches to toggle between two values of a Knob 1 (Parameter).
given parameter or parameters, control a parameter from an external MIDI device,
or the volume and tone knobs on a James Tyler Variax, Shuriken Variax, or Variax 2. Press Knob 6 (Learn Controller).
Standard guitar. You can even have parameters instantly change when selecting The button’s brain icon glows blue, and the header reads, “Engage switch, pedal,
different snapshots within a preset. Variax knob, or MIDI CC to learn...”:
If a controller has been assigned to a parameter, the value appears white and in
brackets. White dots appear on the slider to indicate the controller’s Minimum and Engage switch, pedal, Variax knob, or MIDI CC to learn...
Maximum range values (see next section for details). Feedback None
Learn
L
Parameter Controller Controller
[37%]
3. Move the expression pedal, turn the Volume or Tone knob on
Feedback a connected Variax, step on a Stomp mode footswitch, send a
MIDI CC message from your MIDI device, etc.
NOTE: Adding a Wah, Pitch Wham, or Poly Wham block automatically assigns
The controller name appears above Knob 2 (Controller).
its Position parameter to be controlled by EXP 1. Adding a Volume Pedal or Pan
block automatically assigns its Position to be controlled by EXP 2.
NOTE: Helix has reserved specific MIDI CC messages for global functions;
these CCs cannot be used as controllers. If you attempt to learn a CC
NOTE: Each preset can have up to 64 controller assignments. If you attempt to message reserved for global functions, the following dialog appears:
add a 65th, “Too many controller assignments!” appears in the header:
This MIDI CC# is reserved for global functions!
Too many controller assignments! Feedback None
Feedback None Learn
L
Parameter Controller Controller
Learn
Parameter Controller Controller
See “MIDI” for more information.
In this case, you must clear some controllers to free up assignments. See “Clearing
a Block’s Controller Assignment(s)” or “Clearing All Controller Assignments” 4. Press to return to the Home screen.
SHORTCUT: To assign a parameter to the Snapshots controller, it’s even
easier—push and turn the parameter’s knob. The value appears white and
in brackets, indicating it’s now assigned to a controller.

SHORTCUT: Hold BYPASS and press a parameter knob to quickly remove

any controller assignment (including the Snapshots controller). The value
appears without brackets, indicating no controller is assigned to it.

53
Manual Controller Assign None Removes the controller assignment.
Exp Pedal The most common type of controller. Used to control Volume,
The Controller Assign screen is where you manually assign parameters to be adjusted 1, 2, or 3 Wah, Pitch Wham, etc.
in real-time by controllers.
Variax Vol, If you have a James Tyler Variax or Variax Standard guitar, its
1. Press to open the Menu. Variax Tone volume and tone knobs can be used to adjust a wide variety of
Helix parameters.
2. Press Knob 2 (Controller Assign).
Footswitch Stepping on a Stomp mode footswitch can toggle between a
The Controller Assign screen looks very similar to the Home screen: 1-5, 7-11 parameter’s min and max values.
Controller Assign 1 If a footswitch is assigned to one parameter only (no blocks,
Command Center messages, or other parameters), the parameter
name appears in the scribble strip:

Feedback

Delay Harmony Delay

Time None 0.0 dB Selecting Footswitch 1-5 or 7-11 will display Knob 3 (Type). Turn
Parameter Controller
Learn
Level
Controller
knob 3 to select “Momentary” or “Latching.” Momentary means
the value will change for as long as you hold the switch. Latching
toggles between Min and Max values every time you press the
3. Move the joystick to select the block containing the parameter switch. Footswitch type (momentary or latching) is determined per
to which you want to assign a controller. footswitch, not per assignment.
The most recently accessed parameter appears above Knob 1 (Parameter). You can customize footswitches using the “Command Center”
screen.
NOTE: Amp+Cab and Cab > Dual blocks are special in that they represent MIDI CC Selecting “MIDI CC” will display Knob 3 (MIDI CC#). Turn Knob 3
two models within a single block. To assign controllers to the amp to select the desired MIDI CC number.
parameters in an Amp+Cab block, press <PAGE until the amp icon is
white. To assign controllers to the cab parameters, press PAGE> until Snapshots Although all controller-assigned parameters are updated per
the cab icon is white. snapshot, an additional “Snapshots” controller is available when
other controllers are already used.

NOTE: Footswitch 1 and 7 can be assigned at any time, but they only appear
if the Stomp Mode Switches option is set to “10 switches” (see “Global
To assign controllers to the first cab’s parameters in a Cab > Dual block, Settings > Footswitches”). Otherwise, FS1 and FS7 appear as BANK and
press <PAGE until the left cab icon is white. To assign controllers to the BANK .
second cab’s parameters, press PAGE> until the right cab icon is white.
NOTE: Some CC#s cannot be selected, as they are reserved for the Helix
global functions. See “MIDI” for more information.

4. Turn Knob 1 (Parameter) to select the parameter you wish to

control.
5. Turn Knob 2 (Controller) to select the desired controller.

54
6. If desired, turn Knob 4 (Min Value) and Knob 5 (Max Value) to • Assign the tone knob on your JTV Variax or Variax Standard guitar to a Pitch
set the range you wish to control. Wham block’s Position parameter. Watch guitarists in the audience try to figure
out how a knob on your guitar generates huge dive-bomb effects.
TIP: To reverse controller behavior, swap the min and max values. • Assign multiple Amp+Cab parameters to a single switch. With enough
assignments, you could almost treat the switch as an A/B amp channel
switcher.
When you return to the Home screen, you’ll see the assigned parameter appears
with its value in brackets and in white text to indicate it includes a controller • Assign Mic or IR Select to a footswitch. Set the two mic models or IRs as min
assignment. and max values. Now you can instantly toggle between two mics or two IRs.
For any footswitch, pedal, or Variax knob type controller assignment, you’ll also
see the Min and Max values indicated with white dots.
You’ll see the white indicators above and below the slider’s value for a snapshot
assignment, as shown below.
Clearing a Block’s Controller Assignment(s)
Max indicator 1. From the Controller Assign screen, select the block whose
controller assignments you want to clear and press ACTION.
[37%] [50%]
2. Press Knob 1 (Clear Controllers).
Feedback Feedback
Min indicator Snapshot indicator
Clearing All Controller Assignments
Tips for Creative Controller Assignment 1. From the Controller Assign screen, press ACTION.
• If you assign a footswitch to more than one controller or another item, 2. Press Knob 2 (Clear All Controllers).
“MULTIPLE (X)” on the scribble strip isn’t very descriptive. Don’t forget to
custom label it—See the following sections. The following dialog appears:
• By default, a parameter’s Min and Max values will be pretty extreme. It pays to
Clear all controllers?
play pretty conservatively here, as subtle parameter adjustments go a long way.
• To smoothly blend between the tone on parallel paths A and B, select a Split Cancel OK
> A/B block and assign the Route To parameter to an expression pedal. By
default, a heel-down position means the signal passes fully through Path A.
Moving the pedal toward the toe-down position will gradually crossfade into 3. Press Knob 6 (OK).
Path B. Alternatively, assign a footswitch to control the Route To parameter, for
instantly switching back and forth. IMPORTANT! Clearing All Controller Assignments also removes the Wah
• If you’re looking for a gritty boost for a solo, instead of adding a Distortion and Volume assignments from EXP 1 and EXP 2. Use this function with
block, try assigning a footswitch to increase both the Mid and Channel Volume caution!
parameters of an Amp+Cab, Amp, or Preamp block.
• If you’re looking for an ultra-clean boost, instead of adding a Volume/Pan >
Gain block, try assigning a footswitch to increase the Level parameter of a
Merge > Mixer or Output block.
Customizing a Controller Footswitch Label
• If you have a favorite delay or reverb pedal, use an FX Loop block to insert As there’s no room for a dedicated Customize button on the Controller Assign page,
it into your tone. Assign EXP 1, 2, or 3 to control the block’s Mix parameter, customizing scribble strips for footswitches only assigned to one or more controllers
which will smoothly blend the pedal into your tone. must be done from the “Command Center” page.
• For extreme psychedelic dub delay squeals, assigning a footswitch to both
increases a Delay’s feedback and decrease its time. SHORTCUT: Once an item has been assigned to a footswitch, touch and hold
• Assign a footswitch to toggle between two Delay > Time parameter values, the footswitch (but don’t press), and a Customize button appears above Knob 5.
such as 1/4 and 1/8 dotted.

55
Command Center
3. Move the joystick to select the footswitch, pedal, Variax knob,
or instant location you wish to use to send the command.
4. Turn Knob 1 (Command) to select the type of command you
Helix also just so happens to be a world-class master remote control for your entire
wish to transmit.
touring or studio rig. Each of its Stomp mode footswitches and expression pedals can Not all command sources can send the same types of commands.
be used to send a variety of messages:
Select “None” to remove any command assignment.
• Transmit MIDI, CV/expression, or External Amp commands to your guitar
amps, vintage pedals, synths, or even other modelers. 5. Turn Knobs 2-5 to adjust the command’s settings, which are
• Send QWERTY Hotkey messages, emulating a computer keyboard, to determined by the type of command:
practically any software to control it from your device.
MIDI CC (Continuous Controller)
• Configure footswitches to expand your device’s Stomp mode with additional control
functions (see “HX Preset, Snapshot, and Looper Commands” on page 58). Knob Parameter Description
• Up to six “Instant” commands can be transmitted automatically when a Sets the CC message’s MIDI channel (1-16). When set to
Helix preset is recalled, for starting your DAW, triggering a MIDI-controlled 2 MIDI Ch “Base,” Helix follows the Global MIDI channel, which is set
lighting system, or switching presets on external gear. from the “Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo” page.
All Command Center assignments are stored per preset, but they can be copied and
3 CC # Sets the CC number (0-127).
pasted to other presets. See “Copying and Pasting a Command”
Sets the CC number’s value (0-127). For EXP 1-3 and Variax
Value
NOTE: The Value parameters of any instant MIDI CC, Bank/Prog, MMC, CV Out, 4 Volume/Tone Knob, sets the minimum CC value controlled
[Min Value]
and HX Looper messages, plus the state (dim or lit) of any CC Toggle, CV Toggle, by the pedal or knob.
and Ext Amp messages, are automatically recalled when selecting a snapshot. For EXP 1-3 and Variax Volume/Tone Knob, sets the
5 [Max Value]
maximum CC value controlled by the pedal or knob.
NOTE: By default, all MIDI-based Command Center messages are transmitted
via MIDI and USB simultaneously. You can customize MIDI behaviors using the
“Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo” options. CC Toggle
Page Knob Parameter Description

Assigning a Command 2 MIDI Ch

Sets the CC messages’ MIDI channel (1-16). When
set to “Base”, Helix follows the Global MIDI channel,
which is set from the “Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo”
1. Press to open the Menu. page.

2. Press Knob 3 (Command Center). 3 CC # Sets the CC number (0-127).

Any switches, pedals, or instant locations with commands assigned appear with 1 Sets the CC number’s value (0-127) when the
turquoise triangles above them: 4 Dim Value footswitch ring is dim. For Footswitches 7 (MODE)
and 12 (TAP), it appears as “Initial Val.”
Command Center 1
Sets the CC number’s value (0-127) when the
5 Lit Value footswitch ring is lit. For Footswitches 7 (MODE) and
12 (TAP), it appears as “Toggle Val.”
Sets the footswitch’s behavior to either “Latching”
2 1 Type
(the default) or “Momentary.”

NOTE: For CC Toggle commands, one of two values is automatically

Instant 2 transmitted upon preset recall, determined by the footswitch’s state (dim or
MIDI CC Base 7 72 lit) when the preset was saved. Subsequent presses of the footswitch toggle
Command MIDI Ch CC # Value between the two states’ CC values—Knob 4 (Dim Value) and Knob 5 (Lit Value).

56
 Bank/Prog IMPORTANT! Connect EXT AMP 1/2 only to amplifiers that utilize “short-
Knob Parameter Description to-sleeve” footswitch inputs. Connecting to any other sort of input could
cause permanent damage to both your amp and Helix! If you’re not sure if
Sets the Bank/Program message’s MIDI channel (1-16). your amp has short-to-sleeve inputs, contact the manufacturer.
2 MIDI Ch When set to “Base,” Helix follows the Global MIDI channel,
which is set from the “Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo” page. IMPORTANT! The Helix device’s ability to control external amp channel
Bank Sets the CC#00 (Bank MSB) value. Select “Off” if the and/or reverb switching has been tested with many popular amps and
3 heads. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee compatibility with all
CC00 receiving device shouldn’t respond to Bank MSB.
products. Note that, depending on the channel switching jack’s circuitry in
Sets the CC#32 (Bank LSB) value. Select “Off” if the the guitar amp used, the EXT Amp function may not operate as expected.
4 Bank CC32
receiving device shouldn’t respond to Bank LSB.
Sets the Program Change (PC) value. Select “Off” if you NOTE: When an Ext Amp command is assigned to Instant 1-6, the connection
5 Program
only want to send a Bank MSB and/or Bank LSB message. determined by Knob 2 (Select) is made when the preset is loaded. When
an Ext Amp command is assigned to a footswitch, the footswitch’s current
state (dim or lit) determines whether or not the External Amp connection is
Note On made when the preset is loaded; when dim, no connection is made; when lit,
Knob Parameter Description the connection determined by Knob 2 (Select) is made. Subsequent presses
of the footswitch toggle the connection on (LED lit) and off (LED dark).
Sets the note’s MIDI channel (1-16). When set to “Base,”
2 MIDI Ch Helix follows the Global MIDI channel, which is set from the
“Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo” page. CV (Control Voltage) Out
3 Note Sets the MIDI note value (C-1 ~ G9). Middle C is C3. Knob Parameter Description

4 Velocity Sets the MIDI note’s velocity (0-127). Sets the CV value (1-100) appearing at the Helix device’s
CV Value
CV/Expression jack. For EXP 1-3 and Variax Volume/Tone
2 [CV Min
Determines whether the MIDI note sustains until pressing Knob, sets the minimum CV value controlled by the pedal
Val]
5 Note Off the switch again (Latching) or sustains only while the switch or knob.
is held (Momentary). [CV Max For EXP 1-3 and Variax Volume/Tone Knob, sets the
3
Val] maximum CV value controlled by the pedal or knob.
MMC (MIDI Machine Control)
CV (Control Voltage) Toggle
Knob Parameter Description
Knob Parameter Description
2 Message Determines the message type. Sets the CV value (0-100) when the footswitch ring is dim.
2 Dim Value For Footswitches 7 (MODE) and 12 (TAP), it appears as
“Initial Val.”
Ext Amp
Sets the CV value (0-100) when the footswitch ring is lit. For
Knob Parameter Description 3 Lit Value Footswitches 7 (MODE) and 12 (TAP), it appears as “Toggle
Determines the Ext Amp connection [1 (Tip-to-sleeve), 2 Val.”
(Ring-to-sleeve), or both] for switching an external amp’s When assigned to a footswitch, determines whether the
channel, reverb, or other functions. When assigned to an 4 Type
2 Select footswitch behavior is Latching (default) or Momentary.
Instant command, there is also the option to choose “None,”
thereby allowing you to send a different (or None) message
NOTE: For CV Toggle commands, one of two CV values appears at the CV/
per snapshot.
Expression output, automatically transmitted upon preset recall, determined
When assigned to a footswitch, determines whether the by the footswitch’s state (dim or lit) when the preset was saved. Subsequent
3 Type presses of the footswitch toggle between the two states’ CV values—Knob
footswitch behavior is Latching (default) or Momentary.
2 (Dim Value) and Knob 3 (Lit Value).

57
QWERTY Hotkey Commands HX Preset
QWERTY hotkeys (computer keyboard shortcuts with or without modifiers, such as The HX Preset command allows you to configure a Stomp mode footswitch to
Shift, Control, Option/Alt, and Command) can also be sent to your Mac, PC, or iOS immediately “jump to” any other preset within the current setlist.
device via USB, allowing you to control virtually any DAWs, YouTube, Spotify, looping
software, DJ software, lighting software, and more! 1. From the Command Center page, select a footswitch and turn
Knob 1 (Command) to “HX Preset.”
QWERTY command assignments can be made to any footswitch or any Instant
command, allowing them to be sent automatically from any preset or snapshot recall. 2. Turn Knob 2 (Preset) to “Next,” “Previous,” or choose a specific
To follow are steps to configure on Helix (but you’ll likely find it faster and easier to preset number (01A~32D).
configure Hotkey assignments using the HX Edit app).
HX Preset
1. From the Command Center page, select a footswitch or Instant
Knob Parameter Description
command and turn Knob 1 (Command) to select “Hotkey.”
Sets the preset to be selected by the command: Next,
2. Turn Knobs 2~5 to select the desired key combination. If the 2 Preset Previous, or a preset’s number (01A~32D), which resides
keystroke doesn’t have modifiers, leave Knobs 2, 3, and 4 set within the current setlist.
to “None.”
Like a standard computer keyboard, hotkeys won’t work unless the software or HX Snapshot
app you want to control is in focus.
The HX Snapshot command allows you to configure a Stomp mode footswitch to
QWERTY Hotkeys immediately recall any snapshot within the current preset.
Page Knob Parameter Description 1. From the Command Center page, select a footswitch and turn
2 Modifier 1
Set up to three key modifier(s) to be sent with Knob 1 (Command) to “HX Snapshot.”
the keystroke: Choose Shift, Alt, Ctrl, or Mac/PC
(corresponds to the “Windows” key on Windows 2. Turn Knob 2 (Behavior) to either “Press/Release” or “Press/
3 Modifier 2 Hold.”
OS systems, and the “Command” key on macOS
1 systems.
4 Modifier 3 3. Turn Knobs 3 and 4 to configure which snapshots are recalled
Choose None for knob 2~4 for no added modifier. per the “Press” and the “Release” (or “Hold”) of the footswitch.
Sets the alpha, numeric, or other computer keyboard
5 Keystroke HX Snapshot
key value to be sent.
Knob Parameter Description
Sets the footswitch type as either Momentary or
2 1 Type
Latching. Sets the behavior for the footswitch. This allows you to recall
the desired snapshot index number, or Next or Previous
snapshot, independently per each Press and Release,
TIP: To get you started, we’ve provided several “Factory Presets” within the 2 Behavior
or each Press and Hold of the footswitch. (Note that the
Templates setlist pre-configured with hotkey commands to remotely control assigned, Stomp mode footswitch’s label and LED will only
numerous popular DAW, multimedia, and productivity computer apps! indicate the command assigned to the Press function.)
Sets the snapshot to be recalled on the Press action of the
HX Preset, Snapshot, and Looper Commands 3 Press
footswitch.
These “HX” commands allow you to configure Stomp mode switches for even greater Release/ Sets the snapshot to be recalled on the Release (or Hold,
control of your device’s internal functions. These commands are saved per preset. 4
Hold depending on your Knob 2 selection) of the footswitch.
NOTE: Although Stomp mode switches can be assigned to multiple functions,
to avoid unintended behavior, we strongly recommend the HX Preset, HX
Snapshot, and HX Looper commands are assigned only to empty footswitches.

58
HX Looper HX Looper - Footswitch
For a preset that includes a Looper block, this command allows you to configure an Knob Parameter Description
Instant or Stomp mode footswitch to trigger Looper functions (Play, Stop, Record,
etc.). Sets the behavior for the footswitch. This allows you to
send up to two different Looper commands, independently
NOTE: A 6 Switch or 1 Switch Looper block must be present in your preset for per each Press and Release or each Press and Hold of
HX Looper commands to function. 2 Behavior
the footswitch. (Note that the assigned, Stomp mode
footswitch’s label and LED will only indicate the command
HX Looper - Instant Command Assignment: assigned to the Press function.)
Sets the Looper command to be sent on the Press action
1. In the Command Center window, select an Instant command 3 Press
of the footswitch.
controller and turn knob 1 (Command) to “HX Looper.”
Release/ Sets the Looper command to be sent on the Release (or
2. Turn knob 2 (Function) to choose the specific Looper function 4
Hold Hold, depending on your Knob 2 selection) of the footswitch.
you wish to trigger.
The selected Function action is automatically stored and recalled per snapshot. Note that the assigned, Stomp mode footswitch’s label and LED will only indicate
This allows you to record a loop and, for example, configure an Instant command the command assigned to the Press function.
to automatically “Play” the Loop when loading one Snapshot and “Stop” when
loading a different Snapshot (also see “Using Snapshots”).

HX Looper - Instant Command

Knob Parameter Description
Sets the Looper action to be triggered: Play, Stop, Play/
Stop, Rec, Overdub, Record/Overdub, Play Once, Reverse,
2 Function
Forward, Reverse/Forward, Half Speed, Full Speed, Toggle
Speed, or Undo.

HX Looper - Footswitch Assignment:

1. In the Command Center window, select a footswitch and turn
Knob 1 (Command) to “HX Looper.”
2. Turn Knob 2 (Behavior) to either “Press/Release” or “Press/
Hold.”
3. Turn Knobs 3 and 4 to configure which Looper commands
are sent per the “Press” and the “Release” (or “Hold)” of the
footswitch.
The selected Behavior, Press, and Release/Hold actions are automatically
stored and recalled per snapshot.

59
Copying and Pasting a Command Customizing a Command Footswitch Label
1. Select the location containing the command you wish to copy & Color
and press ACTION.
1. From the Command Center screen, select Footswitch 1-5, 7-11, or
2. Press Knob 1 (Copy Command). EXP Toe with a command assigned and press Knob 6 (Customize).
3. Select the location to which you want to paste the command— The Customize screen appears:
even in a different preset—and press ACTION. Customize
16B Dream Rig+Vocals
4. Press Knob 3 (Paste Command). K
L
M
T o g g l e D e l a y / V e r b
Copying and Pasting All Commands O
P
Setting up the same or similar set of commands across multiple presets can quickly Q

become tiresome. Fortunately, Helix lets you quickly copy and paste all commands to
Auto Color
another preset.
Cancel Delete Insert Remove Switch LED Save

1. From the Command Center page, press ACTION.

Move the joystick left or right to move the cursor.
2. Press Knob 2 (Copy All Commands).
Turn the joystick (or move it up/down) to change the selected character.
3. Select the preset to which you want to paste the commands Press Knob 2 (Delete) to delete the selected character and shift all following
and press ACTION. characters to the left.
4. Press Knob 3 (Paste All Commands). Press Knob 3 (Insert) to insert a space and shift all following characters to
the right.

Clearing a Command SHORTCUT: Press the joystick to cycle through A, a, 0, and [SPACE].

Press Knob 4 (Remove) to remove the custom label, after which the
1. Select the location containing the command you want to clear footswitch displays its normal assignment. The Remove option is grayed-out
and press ACTION. until a custom name is applied.
2. Press Knob 4 (Clear Command). 2. To customize the footswitch’s LED color, turn Knob 5 (Switch
LED) to select the desired color (or turn it off).
Normally, you should leave this set to “Auto Color.
Clearing All Commands 3. Press Knob 6 (Save).
1. From the Command Center page, press ACTION. NOTE: You can also customize footswitches from the “Bypass Assign”
screen (or HX Edit editor application!)
2. Press Knob 5 (Clear All Commands). The Command Center - Customize footswitch label option is not available if
The following dialog appears: you have selected an HX Preset, HX Snapshot, or HX Looper type command.

Clear all Command Center assignments?

Cancel OK

3. Press Knob 6 (OK).

60
Global EQ Resetting Global EQ
Resetting the Global EQ returns its settings to factory default (flat).

1. From the Global EQ screen, press ACTION.

The Helix device’s Global EQ has three fully parametric bands plus variable low
and high cut filters and is used for compensating for the wide disparity in acoustic 2. Press Knob 1 (Reset Global EQ).
environments on tour or when traveling from studio to studio. Global EQ is applied to The following dialog appears:
all setlists and presets and can be heard from the 1/4" outputs, XLR outputs, or both.
Reset Global EQ?
NOTE: Global EQ is never heard from Send, Digital, or USB outputs.
Cancel OK

When Global EQ is active, the Home screen shows the Global EQ icon to the left of 3. Press Knob 6 (OK).
the snapshots icon:

1. Press to open the Menu.

2. Press Knob 5 (Global EQ).
The Global EQ screen appears:

Global EQ

Press BYPASS to turn Global EQ on/off

110 Hz 0.7 0.0 dB 2.0 kHz 0.7 0.0 dB

Low Freq Low Q Low Gain Mid Freq Mid Q Mid Gain

3. Press BYPASS to turn Global EQ on and off.

SHORTCUT: From the Home screen, press and hold BYPASS to turn Global EQ
on and off without navigating to the Global EQ page.

TIP: Press PAGE> to view page 3 of parameters and turn Knob 1 (Apply EQ)
to apply the Global EQ to only the 1/4" outputs, only the XLR outputs, or both.

61
Global Settings Resetting All Global Settings
Resetting the Helix Global Settings returns them to factory default. Performing this
reset does not affect any presets you may have created.

The Global Settings menu contains additional parameters that apply to all setlists and 1. From any Global Settings submenu, press ACTION.
presets, such as input and output levels, custom footswitch mode settings, etc. The
upper right corner displays the Helix device’s current firmware version. Visit line6.com/ 2. Press Knob 1 (Factory Settings).
support for information on the latest Helix firmware updates. The following dialog appears:

1. Press to open the Menu. Restore Global Settings to factory defaults?

2. Press Knob 6 (Global Settings).
Cancel OK
The Global Settings screen appears:

Global Settings Firmware Version 3.00.0 3. Press Knob 6 (OK).

TIP: Using the HX Edit app’s Create & Restore Backup features, you can choose
Ins/Outs Preferences MIDI/Tempo
to include your device’s global settings, along with Setlists, IRs, Favorites, and
User Model Defaults!

Footswitches EXP Pedals Displays

Ins/Outs
Off Off 0dB Off Multi 0.0dB
Guitar In Mic In Mic In Mic In USB In 1/2 USB In 1/2
Pad 48V Phantom Gain Low Cut Destination Trim

3. Move the joystick to select one of the six submenus.

If necessary, press <PAGE/PAGE> to view more parameters.

62
Global Settings > Ins/Outs
Page Knob Parameter Description

1 Guitar In Pad If your guitar or bass has active or high-output pickups, you may want to turn this on. There’s really no rule; use what sounds best.

When on, Helix provides 48V from the XLR Mic In jack to power studio condenser microphones.
2 Mic In 48V Phantom
IMPORTANT! Never connect the Helix device’s XLR outputs to a device whose XLR inputs have 48V phantom power enabled!
3 Mic In Gain Sets the analog gain for the XLR Mic In jack.
1 4 Mic In Low Cut Sets the frequency of the Mic In’s dedicated, variable low-cut filter. Turn fully counterclockwise (or push) to disable.
If you like to jam along with iTunes, YouTube™, or your DAW, this setting determines from which of the Helix outputs your computer or
iPad or iPhone mobile device’s primary stereo audio stream will be heard. USB In 1/2 bypasses all Helix processing; USB 3/4, 5/6, and
5 USB In 1/2 Destination
7/8 can be selected as input blocks for processing DAW tracks or re-amping. Normally, you should choose “Multi,” which sends USB In
1/2 directly to the 1/4", XLR, and Digital outputs. See “USB Audio”.
6 USB In 1/2 Trim Sets the level of incoming audio from USB 1/2, which bypasses all Helix processing. Normally, this should be left at 0.0dB.
Choose “Instrument” when connecting the Helix 1/4" outputs to stompboxes or the front of guitar amps; choose “Line” when
1 1/4" Outputs connecting to mixers, studio monitors, or standalone recorders. When using a single amp or speaker, connect only the LEFT/MONO
1/4" jack.
Choose “Mic” when connecting the Helix XLR outputs to standalone mic preamps or the XLR mic inputs on mixers; choose “Line”
2 XLR Outputs when connecting to studio monitors or the line inputs on mixers. When using a mono playback system, connect only the LEFT/MONO
2 XLR jack.
3 Send/Return 1
4 Send/Return 2 Choose “Instrument” when using a Send/Return pair as an FX loop for stompboxes; choose “Line” when using a Send/Return pair as
an FX loop for line-level rack processors or as additional inputs and outputs for connecting keyboards, drum machines, mixers, and
5 Send/Return 3 other gear.
6 Send/Return 4
1 Re-amp Src (USB 7) USB out 7 and 8 are dedicated to recording a DI signal which can be used for re-amping; choose which two inputs will be sent dry
2 Re-amp Src (USB 8) (unprocessed) to your DAW. See “USB Audio”.

Determines which output(s) are affected when turning the top panel VOLUME knob. For example, you may want to control the level sent
3 Volume Knob Controls from the 1/4" outputs to your stage monitor without affecting the XLR level sent to the front-of-house mixer. Or you may want to disable
the VOLUME knob altogether; in this case, set it to “Digital,” at which point Helix’s 1/4" and XLR outs will be at unity level.
3 Determines which signal(s) are heard from the PHONES output. Normally you would set this to Multi (1/4"+XLR+Digital+USB 1/2), but
4 Headphones Monitor there may be a situation where you only want to hear what’s sent from the 1/4" or XLR outs, particularly if they are fed different signals
(or band members!)
One digital output can be active at a time; choose S/PDIF or AES/EBU. Connecting an L6 LINK device to Helix automatically disables
5 Digital Output
S/PDIF out. USB audio is not affected by this setting. See “Output”.
6 Digital Out Level Sets the S/PDIF and AES/EBU output levels. For most cases, you can leave this set to 0.0dB.
Determines the sample rate of the Helix S/PDIF and AES/EBU outputs; choose 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz (the default), 88.2 kHz, or 96 kHz.
4 1 Sample Rate When connecting to another device’s S/PDIF or AES/EBU input, make sure you set both units to the same sample rate. Note that this
setting does not affect Helix USB audio sample rate operation.

63
Global Settings > Preferences
Page Knob Parameter Description
Determines whether or not any edits made to a snapshot (block on/off, parameter control, Command Center, tempo) are remembered when
returning to that snapshot. When set to “Recall,” any snapshot edits are recalled when jumping from snapshot to snapshot, and appear as you
last left them. When set to “Discard,” any snapshot edits are discarded when jumping from snapshot to snapshot, and appear as the preset was
1 Snapshot Edits
last saved. If you want to save changes made to a snapshot while Snapshot Edits is set to “Discard,” press SAVE twice before selecting another.
The camera icon on the home screen shows you the Snapshot Edits setting at a glance—When set to “Recall,” the camera is gray; when set to
“Discard,” the camera is red. At any time, hold BYPASS and press SAVE to toggle this setting. See “Determining Snapshot Edit Behavior”
Tap Tempo Determines how delay repeats behave when repeatedly pressing TAP. “Accurate” respects the natural pitch fluctuations inherent when changing a
2
Pitch real delay pedal’s time knob; “Transparent” minimizes these artifacts.
Preset Determines whether each setlist’s presets appear as 32 banks of four (A B C D) or are numbered 000-127 (convenient when recalling presets via
1 3
Numbering MIDI program change messages).
Determines the behavior when pressing a Snapshot mode footswitch again after loading its assigned snapshot. “Reload” (the default) simply
Snapshot
4 reloads the stored state of the footswitch’s assigned snapshot again. “Toggle Previous” toggles between loading the previously selected snapshot
Reselect and the footswitch’s assigned snapshot.
Determines the joystick behavior when a block is selected within the Home screen - signal flow. For “Model” (the default), turning the joystick knob
Joystick
5 scrolls through available models for the selected block. For “Selection,” turning the joystick knob quickly navigates selecting blocks across the
Encoder signal flow. SHORTCUT: Pressing while turning the joystick reverses the current joystick behavior.
Preset Please see “True Preset Spillover” on page 21. Determines whether Helix runs only Path 1 blocks with seamless delay and reverb spillover and
6
Spillover minimal gap when switching presets (Spillover On) or runs both Path 1 and Path 2 blocks (Spillover Off, the default).
Determines how the Guitar In’s impedance circuit behaves when the Input block > Guitar In-Z is set to “Auto.” When set to “First Block” (the
Auto
2 1 default), the impedance circuit reflects the impedance of the first block on Path 1A, regardless of whether it’s enabled or bypassed. When set to
Impedance “First Enabled,” the impedance circuit reflects the impedance of the first enabled block on Path 1A.

64
Global Settings > MIDI/Tempo
Page Knob Parameter Description
MIDI Base Sets the system base MIDI channel that Helix uses to receive and send MIDI communication via MIDI and USB. Note that MIDI messages
1
Channel assigned from the Command Center page can be set to any MIDI channel.
2 MIDI Thru When on, MIDI OUT also acts as a MIDI THRU; that is, it passes through any MIDI messages received at the MIDI IN jack.
Determines whether Helix responds to the incoming MIDI clock received at its MIDI IN port, via USB, or whichever it senses first (“Auto”). If you
Receive MIDI
3 don’t want Helix to respond to MIDI clock at all, set this to “Off.” The Helix TAP footswitch LED flashes blue to tempo when synchronized to
Clock incoming MIDI clock.
Send MIDI Determines whether Helix transmits MIDI clock from its MIDI OUT port, via USB, or both. If you don’t want Helix to transmit MIDI clock at all, set
4
1 Clock this to “Off.”
The “Speed” or “Time” parameters of all tempo-based FX can be set to a note value that follows Tap Tempo or the tempo set with Knob 6 (Snapshot
BPM/Preset BPM/Global BPM). Choose whether the Helix tempo is stored and recalled with each snapshot, recalled with each preset, or is applied
5 Tempo Select
globally across all presets and snapshots. NOTE: Helix does not respond to pressing TAP at tempi lower than 40.0 BPM to ensure that multiple fast
tap entries are recognized properly. You may still manually select a tempo as low as 20.0 BPM using this Tempo Select setting.
Snapshot
This is an alternative way to set the Helix tempo, instead of repeatedly stepping on the TAP footswitch. Depending on the Knob 5 (Tempo Select)
BPM/Preset
6 setting, this value is saved per snapshot, per preset, or globally. The Helix device’s tempo has a resolution of 0.1 BPM (beats per minute). You can
BPM/Global also quickly access this parameter at any time by briefly touching the TAP footswitch.
BPM
MIDI Over When on, Helix receives and transmits MIDI data via USB in the same capacity as its MIDI jacks. (USB MIDI can be used with any computer to
1
USB send and receive MIDI between Helix and DAW and MIDI software applications.)
MIDI PC
2 Determines whether or not Helix receives and responds to MIDI program change (PC) messages for recalling Helix presets.
Receive
2 Determines if Helix sends MIDI program change messages and to which MIDI outputs. Set to MIDI to send via MIDI 5-pin out only, USB to send
3 MIDI PC Send
via USB only, or MIDI+USB to send out both. If you don’t want Helix to transmit MIDI PC messages at all, set to “Off.”
Determines whether Helix automatically sends matching MIDI program change (PC) messages when selecting presets. (Configure Knob 3, MIDI
Duplicate PC
4 PC Send to determine which MIDI Outs the MIDI PC messages are transmitted.) A PC message is sent immediately when a preset is selected on
Send Helix.

65
Global Settings > Footswitches
Knob Parameter Description
By default, this option is set to “Touch,” which enables the footswitches’ capacitive touch features: While in Stomp FS mode, lightly touching a footswitch
selects its assigned block for editing and offers a Quick Bypass Assign when touching and holding for two seconds, or offers a swap of assignments
1 Stomp Select when touching and holding two assigned footswitches simultaneously for two seconds. If you don’t want this “touch” behavior (such as if you play
barefoot!), set this to “Off.” Choosing “Press” changes the Stomp FS mode behavior so that when an assigned footswitch is pressed, it also selects the
assigned block (in addition to toggling the block’s bypass). If you want all these behaviors enabled, select “Touch+Press.”
By default, Preset footswitch mode displays eight presets (four on each row). Choose from “8 Presets,” “Preset/Stomp” (one bank of presets on the top
row, switches from stomp mode on the bottom row), “Stomp/Preset” (switches from stomp mode on the top row, one bank of presets on the bottom
Preset Mode
2 row), “Preset/Snap” (one bank of presets on the top row, Snapshots 1-4 on the bottom row), “Snap/Preset” (Snapshots 1-4 on the top row, one bank of
Switches presets on the bottom row), “Snap/Stomp” (Snapshots 1-4 on the top row, switches from stomp mode on the bottom row), “Stomp/Snap” (switches from
stomp mode on the top row, Snapshots 1-4 on the bottom row), and “8 Snapshots” (Snapshots 1-8).
Stomp Mode When set to “10 switches,” FS1 (BANK ) and FS7 (BANK ) are re-purposed as additional Stomp switches. This “10 switches” option only affects the
3
Switches Stomp footswitch mode—when you have the device in Preset, Snapshot, or Looper footswitch modes, BANK and BANK are retained.
Snapshot When set to “Auto Return,” Helix returns to the previous footswitch mode after selecting a snapshot. When set to “Manual Return,” Helix stays in Snapshot
4
Mode Switches footswitch mode until you press FS6 (CANCEL).
When set to “Presets” or “Snapshots,” FS1 (BANK ) and FS7 (BANK ) change to PRESET / or SNAPSHOT / , where pressing either switch
Up/Down instantly selects the next/previous preset or snapshot, without a bank queue. This is useful if you’ve programmed a fixed set list for your show and just
5
Switches want to increment through all your presets or snapshots. You can also cycle through all three switch types by pressing and holding both the and
switches for two seconds. At any time, press and hold both FS1 and FS7 to cycle through BANK / , PRESET / , and SNAPSHOT / .
When Stomp Mode Switches (see Knob 3 item above) is set to “8 Switches,” use the “On” setting here to reverse the direction of the FS1 and FS7 BANK,
Swap Up/
6 PRESET, or SNAPSHOT up/down actions. SHORTCUT: Touch (but don’t press) the Up and Down Stomp Mode FS1 and FS7 switches together for one
Down second, and then press Knob 6.

Global Settings > EXP Pedals

Knob Parameter Description
1 EXP 1 Polarity
If your external expression pedal appears to work backward—for example, a Volume pedal block is loudest with the heel all the way down—set this to
2 EXP 2 Polarity
“Inverted.”
3 EXP 3 Polarity
EXP 1 Pedal
4
Position
EXP 2 Pedal Determines whether the Helix expression pedal positions are recalled per snapshot, per preset, or applied globally. If you want a Volume Pedal or Wah to
5
Position maintain its position when switching presets, set this to “Global.”
EXP 3 Pedal
6
Position

66
Global Settings > Displays
Knob Parameter Description
LED Ring Determines whether the Stomp mode footswitches’ colored LED rings appear dim when bypassed or off when bypassed. When playing in bright
1
Brightness sunlight, you may want to set this to “Off/Bright” to increase contrast.
Tap Tempo
2 If you’d prefer not to see the FS12 (TAP) red LED constantly flashing, you can turn it off.
LED
Pedal Position Determines whether the scribble strip above the onboard expression pedal temporarily shows the expression pedal’s position (“Temporary”) or remains
3
Display visible (“Persistent”). When moving the pedal, the scribble strip shows a position indicator (0 ~ 100%).
Determines whether the scribble strip above the TAP Tempo footswitch temporarily displays the current tempo BPM value when tapped two or more
Tempo BPM times (“Temporary”), or the tempo BPM always remains displayed on this scribble strip, replacing the TAP label (“Persistent”).
4
Display SHORTCUT: To fine-tune the tempo, briefly touch the TAP/TUNER switch to temporarily display the Tempo edit options on the main screen, then turn
Knob 6 (BPM) to set the tempo value manually.

67
USB Audio
Helix functions as a USB 2.0, multiple-input/output, 24-bit - 96kHz, low-latency audio
interface for Windows and Mac computers, as well as for iPad or iPhone mobile
devices (with optional Apple Camera Connection Kit adapter), and is compatible with USB OUTPUTS USB INPUTS
all major DAW software. 1/2 3/4 5/6 7/8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

NOTE: For USB audio operation:

For Windows computers, it is necessary to download and install the Line 6
Helix ASIO driver (see page 71).
For Mac computers, it is only necessary to download and install the Line
16B Dream Rig+Vocals

Out 1/2 3/4 5/6

6 Mac Core Audio driver if you desire audio sample rate operation at rates 1

In 3/4 5/6 7/8

other than 48kHz (see page 71).

ROUTING

ROUTING
OUTPUT
For iPad or iPhone mobile devices, there is no driver installation necessary.

INPUT
All drivers are available from line6.com/software. Please refer to Helix

YouTube, iTunes, etc.

firmware Release Notes for driver support specific to the latest Windows

Jamming with
and Mac operating systems. Amp+Cab Stone Age 185
3.4 2.5 5.0 3.4 2.5 10.0
With the Helix default “Multi” Input and Output block settings in use, you’ll automatically

DI (dry) signal for

Drive Bass Mid Treble Presence Ch Vol
hear audio software playback on USB 1/2 routed directly to the Helix XLR, 1/4" and

Re-amping
Phones outputs. This lets you jam along with YouTube, iTunes, or your DAW tracks HELIX OUTPUTS HELIX INPUTS
without hearing them through a bunch of amps and effects.

In 1/2
DIGITAL
AES/EBU
S/PDIF L6 LINK OUT PUSH PUSH

If you set your DAW software track to record from Helix USB 1/2, you’ll capture your
Helix-processed input signal in the DAW track—with zero-latency monitoring, since
you hear your input from the Helix hardware outputs before it is routed through your Out 7 Out 8
software.
The additional Helix USB Inputs and Outputs are available within the Helix Input and
Output blocks, and within your DAW software track menus. You can utilize these USB
ins and outs for numerous routing configurations, all without patching extra cables—
see the following examples.

68
Hardware Monitoring vs. DAW Software Helix offers two special DI outputs, USB Outs 7 and 8, which appear as available
options within your DAW software track input menus. These two dedicated USB Outs
Monitoring are tapped directly from the Helix input sources of your choice. To configure the Helix
input source for each, go to Global Settings > Ins/Outs > Re-amp Src (USB 7) and
Re-amp Src (USB 8), where you can select Guitar, Aux, Variax, Variax Mags, or Mic:
Use of the Helix default “Multi” settings for both the Input and Output blocks provides
hardware monitoring, which allows you to hear your live input signal at all times, Global Settings
16B Dream Rig Duet 1
Firmware Version 3.00.0
independent of your DAW software’s monitor settings. Hardware monitoring can be
desirable since it allows you to hear your live guitar or mic input with Helix processing
added and essentially “latency-free,” since the monitor signal is not routed through Ins/Outs Preferences MIDI/Tempo
your DAW software.
In some DAW recording scenarios, it may be preferable to utilize your recording
application’s “input monitoring” or “software monitoring” feature. This routes your Footswitches EXP Pedals Displays

live input signal through the armed recording track, thus allowing you to monitor the
input effected by any plugins you may have inserted on the track. However, the one Ins/Outs
Guitar Mic Multi Multi S/PDIF 0.0 dB
downside of DAW software monitoring is that your live input signal will be delayed Re-amp Src Re-amp Src Volume Knob Headphones Digital Digital Out
slightly due to being routed through the software and back to the Helix outputs, which (USB 7) (USB 8) Controls Monitor Output Level

is referred to as “latency.” Helix is designed to provide very low latency operation—see

“ASIO Driver Settings (Windows)” for info and settings.
When a DAW track’s software monitoring is active, you’ll likely not want to hear the
Recording a Dry DI Track
Helix hardware monitoring signal simultaneously. To achieve this, you can set the Helix For this example, we’ll record guitar into two DAW tracks simultaneously, with one
Output block to USB Out 3/4 or 5/6. These Output block options will route your Helix- capturing the Helix-processed tone and the other the unprocessed DI guitar.
processed, stereo signal out to your DAW software without also providing the Helix
hardware monitoring to USB 1/2. You’ll then need to set your DAW track to receive 1. In the Helix Global Settings>Ins/Outs>Page 3 screen, set
from the same selected Helix USB Out to record the Helix-processed signal into the Re-amp Src (USB 7) to “Guitar” (as shown above).
track. Or, you can optionally set the DAW track input to Helix USB 7 or USB 8 to record
a dry DI signal—see the next section. 2. Dial in your desired Helix tone, while keeping the Helix Input
and Output blocks both set to the default “Multi” setting.
NOTE: Keep the Helix Input block set to “Multi” and your DAW software’s main, 3. Create two new audio tracks in your DAW software project:
Master output to Helix USB 1/2 to also hear playback of your full DAW mix.
Create one mono track to record the dry DI guitar, and set the track’s input
to Helix USB 7.

DI Recording and Re-amplification Create one stereo track to record your full, stereo Helix-processed tone and
set the track’s input to Helix USB 1/2.
A common DAW recording technique is to record a dry DI (Direct Input) signal, such GUITAR IN USB
as the unprocessed signal from your guitar, Variax, or mic, along with your mic’ed or DRY DI GUITAR
processed tone. This allows you to process the DI track later with plugins (such as the Track 1 (Dry DI Guitar)
Line 6 Helix Native plugin) and/or “re-amplify” the DI track through an amp or other Track 2 (Processed Guitar)
outboard gear. Helix has handy options built right in for recording DI tracks, as well as

PROCESSED GUITAR
16B Dream Rig Duet 1

for easy re-amplification of DI tracks back through your own Helix tones, all without
extra hardware or cabling!

Delay Harmony Delay

1/8 37% D Minor 40% 0.0 dB

Time Feedback Key Scale Mix Level

69
4. Set both tracks’ outputs, as well as the DAW Master output, 3. On Helix, select the Input block and set it to receive from the
to Helix USB 1/2 to allow all tracks to play back through Helix. same USB stereo pair (USB In 3/4) and keep the Output block
set to “Multi.” Load your choice of amps and effects on the
NOTE: Setting the stereo track’s output to Helix USB 1/2 allows you to hear current Helix preset.
your Helix-processed tone via the Helix hardware monitoring while recording.
USB
For this configuration, disable software monitoring on all DAW tracks.
DRY DI GUITAR
5. Arm both these DAW audio tracks, hit the Record button and Track 1 (Dry DI Guitar)
Track 2 (Processed Guitar)
start laying down your guitar performance! Track 3 (Re-amped Guitar)
Now you have your Helix-processed track to hear with the project and a separate DI 16B Dream Rig Duet 1

RE-AMPED GUITAR
track with which you can further experiment at any time with DAW plugins and/or re-
amping (see the next section).

Re-amping Through Helix Delay Harmony Delay

1/8 37% D Minor 40% 0.0 dB

If your DAW software provides options for routing individual audio tracks to outputs Time Feedback Key Scale Mix Level

other than just the main Helix USB Out 1/2, then you can use these steps for re-
amping a dry recorded DI track back through Helix.

1. In your DAW software, set the DI track’s Output setting to a

Helix stereo USB Out other than USB Out 1/2. For this example
we’ll use Helix USB Out 3/4.
4. Now play your DAW project and you’ll hear the DI track “re-
2. Create a new stereo track in your DAW project and set this amped” through your Helix! Adjust the DI track’s volume slider
track’s Input and Output both to USB 1/2 - Let’s name this to make sure the signal feeding into Helix is not too hot. Tweak
track “Re-amped.” Arm the track for recording. your Helix amp & effects as desired while listening with the
playback of your project mix.
NOTE: In some DAW software, it may be necessary to also activate the
software monitoring feature on this “re-amped” track to monitor the Helix- 5. Once you have your re-amplified guitar tone they way you like
processed signal when playing back your project. See your software’s it, solo both the DI and re-amped tracks, rewind to the start
documentation. of the project and hit the DAW Record button, allowing it to
capture the signal into the new re-amped track in real-time.
Allow the DI track to play to the end, stop recording, and you’ve created your new re-
amped guitar track!

TIP: Note that you still have your original Guitar DI recording, and you can repeat
this process to create additional re-amped tracks with different Helix settings,
add plugins, blend with your original guitar track, and more.

70
ASIO Driver Settings (Windows) Default Bit Select the Bit Depth at which Helix will operate for recording
Depth and playback with your DAW software. 24 bit or 32 bit are
When using Helix as an audio interface for Windows DAW applications, it is highly recommended for quality audio production.
recommended to configure the software to utilize the “ASIO” Helix driver. The Line ASIO Your goal is to achieve the lowest latency possible in your DAW
6 ASIO driver offers the superior, low-latency audio performance required for DAW Buffer Size software, but with glitch-free audio performance. Smaller buffer
recording. This driver selection is typically found in your DAW software’s Preferences size results in lower latency, however, also increases the demands
or Options dialog - see your software’s documentation. on your computer, which can result in clicks, pops, or other audio
artifacts. Start with a lower slider setting here. If you encounter
NOTE: Download and install the latest Line 6 Helix ASIO driver from audio performance issues, return to this panel and move this slider
line6.com/software. to the right incrementally to remedy the problem.
Click the Apply and OK buttons when your Helix Control Panel settings are complete to
Once you’ve selected the ASIO Helix driver within your DAW software, you’ll also see return to your DAW software. Please also refer to your DAW software’s documentation
a button in the same dialog for “ASIO Settings” (or with a similar title). Press this button for more about its own specific audio device, buffer, and project settings.
to launch the Helix Control Panel, where you make the following Helix driver settings.

Core Audio Driver Settings (macOS)

To use Helix as an audio interface for Mac applications, it is unnecessary to install any
additional driver. Helix will automatically utilize the Mac computer’s “Class Compliant”
USB driver when you connect to your USB port. Helix will then appear as a selectable
Core Audio device within the Mac Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup panel and/or directly
within your audio and multimedia applications. However, note that this Apple Class
Compliant driver offers strictly 48kHz native sample rate operation. If you prefer to
use a different native sample rate (or if your particular DAW application requires it),
you can optionally download and install the Line 6 Mac Core Audio driver from line6.
com/software. This Line 6 driver offers 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88kHz, or 96kHz sample rate
operation.

Sound This button launches the Windows Sound Control Panel, which is
Control where you can optionally configure Helix to be the audio playback
Panel device for multimedia applications (such as Windows Media Player,
iTunes, etc.) These settings are not relevant for your DAW software
since these applications utilize the standard Windows driver.

71
MIDI MIDI Clock Send and Receive
Helix can send and receive MIDI clock via its MIDI 5-pin in/out, as well as via USB.
MIDI Clock options can be enabled and configured within the “Global Settings > MIDI/
Tempo” options.
NOTE: Helix transmits and responds to MIDI messages over USB in the same
manner as via its MIDI connectors. For USB MIDI operation on Windows MIDI Clock Send: Transmit MIDI clock to synchronize the tempo of external
computers, it is necessary to download and install the Line 6 Helix ASIO driver, pedals, rack gear, and software to the current Helix TAP Tempo rate.
available from line6.com/software. There is no driver installation necessary for an
MIDI Clock Receive: Synchronize the Helix time-based effects (such as delay and
Apple Mac computer or iPad or iPhone mobile devices.
modulation) to incoming MIDI clock from external DAW software, drum machines,
keyboard workstations, or other modelers. Note that the Helix TAP footswitch will
flash blue (instead of the default red) to indicate the incoming tempo rate when
MIDI Bank/Program Changes receiving MIDI clock.

Helix responds to traditional MIDI CC and Program change messages from an external
MIDI device (or from MIDI software via USB) and will recall setlists, presets, and/or MIDI CC
snapshots accordingly.
Helix has reserved specific MIDI CC messages for global functions; these CCs cannot
be used as controllers. If you attempt to learn a CC message reserved for global
Remotely Selecting a Setlist, Preset, and/or Snapshot functions (see “Controller Assign”), the following dialog appears:
Press PRESETS to open the Setlist menu: This MIDI CC# is reserved for global functions!
Feedback None
1 FACTORY 1 01A US Double Norm Learn
L
Parameter Controller Controller
2 FACTORY 2 01B Essex A30
3 USER 1 01C Brit Plext Brt
4 USER 2 01D Cali Rectifire MIDI CC# Value Function
5 USER 3 02A Grammatico Brt
6 USER 4 02B Essex A15 Pedal and Footswitch Assignments
7 USER 5 02C Brit 2204 1 0-127 Emulates EXP 1 Pedal
8 TEMPLATES 02D German Ubersonic
2 0-127 Emulates EXP 2 Pedal
1 FACTORY 1 16B Bottle Message
CC32: 000 SNAPSHOT 1 3 0-127 Emulates EXP 3 Pedal
Rename PC: 005 Reorder Rename Select Rename
Setlist CC69: 000 Preset Preset Snapshot Snapshot 49 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS1

The dark text above Knob 2 displays the required MIDI messages for recalling 50 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS2
the Helix device’s setlists, presets, and/or snapshots from external MIDI devices 51 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS3
or software. In the illustration above, the FACTORY 1 setlist is recalled with a
CC32 message of 000, the 02B Essex A15 preset is recalled with a PC (program 52 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS4
change) message of 005, and SNAPSHOT 1 is recalled with a CC69 message of
53 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS5
000.
54 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS7
NOTE: When navigating Presets from the Helix hardware (PRESETS encoder,
55 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS8
preset footswitches, PRESET / PRESET , etc.), Helix automatically transmits
a MIDI Program Change message corresponding to the selected preset. If you’d 56 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS9
prefer Helix not automatically transmit or receive PC messages, turn “Global
Settings > MIDI/Tempo” > Knob 4 (MIDI PC Send/Receive) off. 57 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS10
58 0-127 Emulates Stomp footswitch mode’s FS11
59 0-127 Emulates EXP Toe switch

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MIDI CC# Value Function
Looper Controls
0-63: Overdub;
60 Looper Record/Overdub switch (FS8)
64-127: Record
0-63: Stop;
61 Looper Play/Stop switch (FS9)
64-127: Play
62 64-127 Looper Play Once switch (FS3)
63 64-127 Looper Undo/Redo switch (FS2)
0-63: Forward;
65 Looper Forward/Reverse switch (FS11)
64-127: Reverse
0-63: Full;
66 Looper Full/Half Speed switch (FS10)
64-127: Half
0-63: Off; Looper block on/off; also enters/exits Looper
67
64-127: On footswitch mode
Additional Controls
0 0-7 Bank MSB
32 0-7 Bank LSB—Setlist select
64 64-127 Tap Tempo
68 0-127 Tuner screen on/off
0-7 Snapshot 1-8 select
69 8 Next snapshot select
9 Previous snapshot select
70 0-127
71 0-127
72 0-127
Additional global MIDI commands (reserved for future
73 0-127
use)
74 0-127
75 0-127
76 0-127
0-63: Oh; Helix achieves self-awareness and starts poking fun at
128
64-127: Nooo that face you make during the solo

73
®